New Delhi: Gairat Khasbiullin, agent to Manchester City’s new signing Abdukodir Khusanov recently disclosed that it was Manchester United who were the first club to show interest in the 20-year-old. The Uzbekistan centre-back joined the reigning Premier League champions from Lens earlier this week for £33.5 million but Khusanov could have ended up with the Red Devils.
Speaking to Championat recently, Khasbiullin said that back in May 2023, Nicolas Cinalli, United scout, was in Argentina for the U-20. According to Khasbiullin, Cinalli had contacted him after Uzebkistan’s second game, left impressed by Khusanov’s performance.
“After the second match of Uzbekistan, he found my contact and wanted to meet me. What did he tell me? That Khusanov has the Manchester United DNA.”
It was a big moment for Khasbiullin who noted that it was then he knew that Khusanov had potential to be recruited by top clubs. However, then-United coach Erik Ten Hag felt that Khusanov wasn’t developed enough to make an impact for the side. Khasbiullin mentioned that he had been contacted by the scout recently, congratulating him on the move and expressed regret for not having him at Old Trafford.
Khusanov’s agent Gairat Khasbiullin said 12 PL clubs were speaking to him. Newcastle was close but FFP reasons they were little limited. City was able to pay right away as Lens was in financial trouble. He also added Man United scouts presented him in 2023 but Ten Hag declined pic.twitter.com/WdYEtprE4X
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According to Khasbiullin top teams from Germany with the exception of Bayern Munich. The list includes Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and even some teams from Italy. Newcastle was the closest to signing Khusanov but ultimately lost to City.
Can Abdukodir Khusanov shine in the Premier League?
Loss for one may be gain to the other as City signed Khusanov for a four-and-a-half year deal with an option to extend another year. Khusanov has been regular in the Ligue 1 side’s first team, missing out only two of the 18 games for his side in the competition owing to suspension.
There are a lot of expectations from Uzbekistanian in the Premier League, as he comes to play for Pep Guardiola’s side during the January transfer window. While United are not in shortage of centre-back options, they would regret losing a chance to have Khusanov in the side if he brings quality to their neighbours.
Ten Hag wasn’t convinced though and instead signed Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Noussaid Mazroui who have been important even in Ruben Amorim’s mix, who took over as United coach late last year. However, if Pep decides to play him against Chelsea and he manages to perform, United might have a hard time swallowing that pill.
Abdukodir Khusanov recently moved to Manchester City from Ligue 1 side Lens, though according to his agent Gairat Khasbiullin claimed that it was Manchester United who had first shown interest in the centre-back. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
