Everton in hunt to sign defender as £25m transfer news emerges from France - report

Everton are one of two Premier League clubs who want to sign £25million-rated Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, according to Jeunes Footeux.

The French outlet reported on 21 October that the Toffees and Newcastle are both monitoring the 20-year-old Uzbek centre-back’s progress in Ligue 1, following a strong start to the season with Lens.

While Khusanov has only been on the books at Lens since 2023 after signing from Energetik-BGU Minsk for £83,400, the youngster is now valued between £20.85m and £25m by the French club’s board.

Both clubs are yet to submit any formal offers to Lens for Khusanov, but the Ligue 1 side are confident that the defenders’ current trajectory could see significant bids sent their way in the coming months.

Abdukodir Khusanov can help to shape new-look Everton backline

A 20-year-old centre-back with little over a year of experience in Europe’s top five leagues would certainly come under the ‘for the future’ bracket, but that’s something the club are looking forward to.

With a brand-new stadium move on the horizon and new owner Dan Friedkin soon to be in post, the summer of 2025 could prove to be a vital one for deciding what the Toffees look like in the future.

Sean Dyche’s contract running out at the end of this season could facilitate a change in the dugout [Stephen Warnock, 26 September], and the current situation in the Goodison Park centre-back stocks will also come under the microscope.

Michael Keane may be in a rich vein of form at present, but with his contract expiring in 2025, and James Tarkowski turning 32 next month, a brand new signing for the future could be exactly what is needed.

Jarrad Branthwaite is fast becoming one of the faces of the club and is a player Friedkin will be desperate to keep hold of, but the American may have to spend big to find him a long-term partner.

In other Everton news, Andy Gray didn’t know what to think after what Richard Keys said about the Dan Friedkin takeover.

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