Tottenham priced out of centre-back race as Man City close in on signing

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to miss out on their number-one centre-back target as Manchester City are willing to pay a bigger fee for Abdukodir Khusanov.

Tottenham looking to build on a strong start to January

Spurs have made a solid start to the January window, securing Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague just a few days into the window. Fans have already seen the goalkeeper deliver a masterclass on his debut against Liverpool.

The Lilywhites are also thought to be edging closer to securing their top striker target, Randal Kolo Muani, with some outlets claiming that a deal can be finalised by the end of this week.

However, it does appear that they are set to miss out on their top defensive target, Abdukodir Khusanov, with some reports now suggesting that the Lens youngster looks set to head to the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham not willing to meet Abdukodir Khusanov’s price tag

According to David Ornstein, Lens are demanding £35m for Khusanov, with Spurs unlikely to agree to pay such a steep price for the 20-year-old.

The journalist revealed that his sources are increasingly convinced that the Uzbekistan international will end up linking up with Pep Guardiola in Madchester this month.

Ornstein said on The Athletic FC Podcast: “And that’s why you see them showing an interest in the Lens central defender, Abdukodir Khusanov, who is catching the eye of many. Newcastle have liked him for quite some time. Tottenham are aware of him too, but the level I think it’s going to go to financially, I don’t see Tottenham pursuing it right now,

“And that level, which Lens want is above 40 million euros. (£35m) They’ve put Jorge Mendes, the so-called super agent in charge of this window. They’ve given him a mandate to get the sale done.

“And the more people I speak to, the growing sense is that he will end up at Manchester City, but they obviously have to go through the normal sort of dance and negotiations.”

Man City willing to meet Abdukodir Khusanov asking price

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk have also installed City as the favourites to land Abdukodir Khusanov, claiming that the Manchester club are ‘advancing in talks’ to sign the pacy defender.

The reigning Champions are reportedly ‘pushing forward’ to make the Lens centre-back their first signing of the January window.

Guardiola’s men are said to be ‘leading the race’ and have allegedly informed the Ligue 1 club that they will meet their asking price, which, according to the outlet, stands at ‘over £30m’.

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