Abdukodir Khusanov, the 20-year-old central defender from RC Lens (under contract until 2027) and Uzbekistan, has been announced as one of Paris Saint-Germain’s leads for the mercato. L’Equipe reported on Friday that he fits PSG’s criteria perfectly, while the Lens club has entrusted the management of his eventual departure to agent Jorge Mendes, who has excellent relations with the Parisian club.
“Several leads are active.
“The profile of this potential recruit is gradually taking shape. Few names are filtering through, but Paris is unlikely to position itself on inexperienced profiles.
The Parisian directors will remain faithful to their recent criteria. Namely, a young player (under 24-25) with the ability – like Pacho – to be very intense in duels and capable of quickly integrating Luis Enrique’s principles.
Several leads are currently being pursued. One of them leads to the Premier League, with an unnamed profile. Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov fits the bill. And a little more, since the Uzbek’s sales mandate has been given to Jorge Mendes, a close associate of the Parisian management. The close ties between Diego Lopez, Lens’ sporting director, and Campos are well established.
Is Marquinhos about to end his PSG adventure?
The search for a right winger is part of a wider reflection on this position. And around the future of Marquinhos. An influential figure both in the dressing room and at the club, does the Brazilian, under contract until 2028, embody the future of PSG? The question will be asked in a few months’ time.
These statements are not insane, but they are far from certain, as they are still just rumours. The future of Marquinhos, for example, is far from being written away from PSG. We know that an “older” player is often announced as being on his way out. This is not necessarily confirmed.
What’s more, the media and fans often exaggerate the age barrier, even though we regularly see players over 30 performing very well at the highest level.
But there’s a logic to having competition and preparing for the future, since nobody stays forever. In any case, Paris coach Luis Enrique needs to have options, at least to give the players a break.
Khusanov could be an idea. It’s not clear at the moment whether this is a dossier that is more advanced than others. There is talk of “several avenues”, so we suspect that PSG are preparing a number of possibilities. Let’s wait and see what materializes.
