Real Madrid defensive target valued at €40 million+ by Ligue 1 club – report

Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Real Madrid are tracking RC Lens defensive gem Abdukodir Khusanov as a possible reinforcement for the summer.

It is no secret that Los Blancos intend to sign a new centre-back in the next summer following the injury ordeals they have experienced over the past 18 months or so.

Names like Castello Lukeba, Vitor Reis, and Aymeric Laporte have been linked heavily but Khusanov, too, has now emerged as a potential target.

However, Real Madrid are not alone in pursuing the young Uzbekistan defender as Manchester City are also exploring a move for him.

Lens want more than €40 million

Given the growing interest in Khusanov, his current club RC Lens are hoping to extract a transfer fee in excess of €40 million for him, reports The Athletic.

As per the report, Tottenham Hotspur, too, are interested in the 20-year-old defender, but the price tag of €40 million+ is likely to put them off.

Newcastle United are also tracking the young Khusanov, who has made quite an impression in Ligue 1 this season.

The report further states that super-agent Jorge Mendes has a mandate to sell Khusanov in the ongoing transfer window itself while extracting the best deal possible for Lens.

In that scenario, a move to Real Madrid could be considered out of the question as the Merengues are not planning to sign anyone in January.

Even if he stays put at Lens until the summer, whether Los Blancos would be willing to spend €40 million plus on the defender remains a question mark considering the stance they took with Leny Yoro last summer.