Newcastle tracking £25m defender after Toon scouts travel to France – Report

According to reports this week, Newcastle United are tracking RC Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov following his impressive displays in Ligue 1.

This comes from Graeme Bailey’s latest exclusive for TBR, with the journalist reporting that Newcastle, Chelsea, Spurs and Brighton have all sent scouts to France to watch the 20-year-old this season.

Newcastle missed out on Marc Guehi over the summer due to Crystal Palace’s lofty demands in excess of £70m. Since then, Dan Burn has done a brilliant job alongside Fabian Schar and we have Sven Botman due back in December.

However, there’s no doubt the club will look to bring in a young, right-footed centre-back who could offer a long-term replacement for Schar; currently out of contract next summer. 

Khusanov has already started six of Lens’ eight league games this season, helping them to an undefeated start and lifting them to fifth place after last year’s Champions League campaign.

The 6ft 1′ defender also has international experience having played for Uzbekistan on 14 occasions and is believed to be available for around £25m, so it could be an affordable alternative to Guehi.

Only Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (15) has made more interceptions in Ligue 1 this season than Abdukodir Khusanov (13).

Strong start to the season for the 20-year-old Lens player.

A proactive, tenacious, and committed center-back.

The future icon of Uzbek football. 🔴🟡🇺🇿 pic.twitter.com/RK91dLtwtw

— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) October 4, 2024

Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/10/24/newcastle-tracking-25m-defender-after-toon-scouts-travel-to-france-report/

Author : Andrew Reynolds

Publish date : 2024-10-24 17:55:00

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