Everton want to sign a player from Ligue 1 side Lens.

Everton joined in hunt to sign Khusanov as £25m transfer update emerges in France

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

22 Oct 2024, 10:40 am

Everton are one of two Premier League clubs who want to sign £25million-rated Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, according to Jeunes Footeux.

The French outlet reported on 21 October that the Toffees and Newcastle are both monitoring the 20-year-old Uzbek centre-back's progress in Ligue 1, following a strong start to the season with Lens.

While Khusanov has only been on the books at Lens since 2023 after signing from Energetik-BGU Minsk for £83,400, the youngster is now valued between £20.85m and £25m by the French club's board.

Both clubs are yet to submit any formal offers to Lens for Khusanov, but the Ligue 1 side are confident that the defenders' current trajectory could see significant bids sent their way in the coming months.

Abdukodir Khusanov can help to shape new-look Everton backline

A 20-year-old centre-back with little over a year of experience in Europe's top five leagues would certainly come under the 'for the future' bracket, but that's something the club are looking forward to.

With a brand-new stadium move on the horizon and new owner Dan Friedkin soon to be in post, the summer of 2025 could prove to be a vital one for deciding what the Toffees look like in the future.

Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to be the face of a revitalised Everton under Dan Friedkin [Credit: Imago]

Sean Dyche's contract running out at the end of this season could facilitate a change in the dugout [Stephen Warnock, 26 September], and the current situation in the Goodison Park centre-back stocks will also come under the microscope.

Michael Keane may be in a rich vein of form at present, but with his contract expiring in 2025, and James Tarkowski turning 32 next month, a brand new signing for the future could be exactly what is needed.

Jarrad Branthwaite is fast becoming one of the faces of the club and is a player Friedkin will be desperate to keep hold of, but the American may have to spend big to find him a long-term partner.

In other Everton news, Andy Gray didn't know what to think after what Richard Keys said about the Dan Friedkin takeover.

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