Things to know about Leicester transfer target Abdukodir Khusanov

Leicester City is among the names lining up their interest in Uzbek central defender Abdukodir Khusanov. Here is an analysis of why the Foxes are in for the player and what they could offer the struggling King Power side.

RC Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain - French Cup
RC Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain - French Cup | Xavier Laine/GettyImages
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It is key to note that due to his lack of pace, the player is not much of a progressive defender. That being said, their strength would offer the King Power side the potential to progress by holding onto the ball and letting their dynamic midfield get into more impactful spaces. It is important to note that the player does not usually pass to midfielders, opting instead for a less congested route to wingers.

For Leicester City, this means a central defender that can make challenges at the right time to help the team win the ball, will not rush out of position to abandon space (as Wout Faes characteristically does), actually wins his aerial challenges, and will better support both the midfield and our explosive forwards and aggressive wing-backs that need that extra player to do the hardwork of progression for them.

What it would cost

Will Still has the player on a contract until 2027, with the immense hype around the wonder kid being manifested in so many teams scouting him, it is unlikely to come cheap. €25m is the number currently touted, but a tightly contested talent would likely exceed that amount.

The benefits for the Foxes are obvious. Ruud Van Nistelrooy needs a defender who is proactive in their positioning, makes challenges, and has the stylistic versatility to be used in a number of ways. The Dutchman needs a defender that he can trust to not make any silly passing mistakes backwards or sideways, one that can hold onto the ball and push forward before passing into safe territory. Nistelrooy needs Khusanov.