Tottenham Hotspur face a race against time as Ange Postecoglou eyes reinforcements amidst mounting defensive woes, but Manchester City’s interest in Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov threatens to derail their plans.
Tottenham Hotspur’s season under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou has been facing a significant challenge due to a growing injury crisis at the heart of their defence.
The north London side has been contending with the absence of key players such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Ben Davies, all of whom have been sidelined with injuries.
Adding to their woes, Destiny Udogie sustained a hamstring injury during the draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, which has ruled him out for six weeks.
The situation is becoming more precarious with Radu Dragusin, the only fully fit centre-back, showing signs of fatigue, leaving Tottenham with a threadbare defensive line.
In response to the crisis, Postecoglou had to deploy Archie Gray, a summer signing from Leeds United for £30million, as an emergency option at the back throughout December.
However, it is clear that a long-term solution is needed, and the urgency to secure reinforcements has become paramount as the February 3 transfer deadline looms.
Tottenham’s hopes of landing Abdukodir Khusanov, the highly-rated Lens defender, have been thrown into jeopardy as Manchester City reportedly enter the fray.
Sources from GIVEMESPORT indicate that the reigning Premier League champions have shown significant interest in the Uzbekistan international, complicating Postecoglou’s efforts to bring him to Hotspur Way.
Postecoglou had identified Khusanov as a priority target, with the Ligue 1 club reportedly open to offers in the region of £20million.
This figure aligns with Tottenham’s modest January transfer budget, and the north Londoners had hoped to secure the 22-year-old’s signature before other suitors could act.
However, Manchester City’s emergence as a contender for Khusanov has left Spurs in a precarious position, with concerns mounting that they may be outmanoeuvred by their wealthier rivals.
Should Tottenham fail to secure Khusanov, they are likely to face similar obstacles in their pursuit of alternative targets.
Postecoglou has reportedly been tracking Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ko Itakura and PSV Eindhoven’s Olivier Boscagli, but both players come with their own set of complications.
GIVEMESPORT sources suggest that Itakura, a versatile defender with Bundesliga experience, is highly sought after by clubs across Europe, while Boscagli has drawn interest from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Boscagli’s contractual situation—he is in the final six months of a deal worth approximately £10,000 per week—could lead to a bidding war, further complicating matters for Tottenham.
Even if Spurs were to shift their attention away from Khusanov, they may find themselves forced to overpay to secure their desired reinforcements.
Postecoglou faces a critical month as he works to address his side’s defensive vulnerabilities. With multiple targets proving difficult to acquire, and the Premier League season entering a pivotal phase, the pressure is mounting on Tottenham to act swiftly and decisively in the transfer market
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