Paul Mitchell transfer hint as 20-year-old open to joining Newcastle United
Newcastle United are tracking RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of the January transfer window opening in three days’ time.
Sources close to St James’ Park have frequently played down the prospect of January being a busy month because of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrictions. Newcastle have spent around £450million on new players since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia arrived as owners in October 2021.
Paul Mitchell succeeded Dan Ashworth as sporting director in July and plans to alter the club’s recruitment strategy by unearthing players rather than just attempting to sign ready-made stars - mostly within the Premier League - who come with bigger price tags. Mitchell previously sparked controversy when he questioned if the club’s transfer approach was fit for purpose.
"Should our scouting and recruitment be driven more extensively with a wider reaching net? It definitely should be because this is becoming a really nuanced space now, when you just can't capitally fund everything every year and buying loads of players at peak age and peak price,” he said in September.
“Of course it needs to be, and that's the responsibility of me, the scouting team, the recruitment team and Eddie. To do that, to look at that. Is it fit for purpose?
"Not last winter gone, the winter before that. Is it fit for purpose in the modern game, with the modern challenges? Because other clubs that have maybe adopted a different approach over time, with more intelligence, maybe more data-informed than what we are, actually prospered, didn't they, this window? And I think that's where we have to grow to be now.”
And an example of that is Newcastle’s interest in Khusanov, as reported by iNews. The 20-year-old would likely cost around £20m as opposed to the £70m Crystal Palace wanted for England international Marc Guehi last summer.
It’s claimed Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are among the clubs also keeping an eye on Khusanov, who has made 31 appearances for Lens since arriving from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU last year. However, Mitchell’s experience of working in France with Monaco could play into Newcastle’s hand.
Khusanov, an Uzbekistan international, is said to be open to a move with super agent Jorge Mendes tasked with drumming up interest.