Leeds United’s ambition has been praised in this January transfer window. But being a Championship club means they’ll often find it difficult to tempt their most ideal transfer targets.
The January transfer window is open and Leeds United appear to have their sights set on several players, despite numerous reports and reaffirmations that Leeds will be quite in the January transfer window.
So far Leeds have been linked with 19 new players. But few players appear to be far down the line where a move to Elland Road is concerned, with Daniel Farke’s side still having a full fixture list to deal with.
But before the window opened, it was reported that Leeds United had tabled a bid for Abdukodir Khusanov at RC Lens. Reports claimed, although they were never properly confirmed, that the Whites tabled a £16.5million bid for the Uzbeki centre-back.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey praised Leeds for their ambition in trying to sign Khusanov. But it seems as though Leeds were overly-ambitious there.
Real Madrid in talks to sign Abdukodir Khusanov despite Leeds United bid
An emerging claim from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna has revealed that Khusanov is a target for Real Madrid, who are ‘very interested’ in the 20-year-old and have already made contact with the player.
Aouna adds that Manchester City and Newcastle United also have a ‘concrete interest’ in Khusanov, whose father has even met with City’s representatives to discuss a possible deal. Only a week ago was it revealed that Manchester City were keen on Khusanov.
Up until the summer of 2023, Khusanov was playing his football in the Belarusian top flight with Energetik-BGU before Lens snapped him up on a four-year deal. They now look set to make a tidy profit on a player they paid less than £1million for.
Latest Abdukodir Khusanov price tag is the final nail in the coffin for Leeds United
Previously, it was widely claimed that RC Lens wanted £25million for Khusanov. That price tag may have put Khusanov out of the Whites’ reach, but not entirely, and especially not should we be talking about a move next summer and in the event of Leeds being promoted.
But an emerging report from The Athletic has now slapped a £33million price tag on Khusanov’s head. That combined with emerging interest from Real Madrid, and Manchester City’s talks with the player, puts to bed any Leeds hopes of a deal for Khusanov.
Again though, Leeds’ ambition is impressive, and it could be a sign of things to come under the current owners.
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