and could be left helpless in their quest to thwart Abdukodir Khusanov's move to .

All three clubs have identified the Lens defender as a raw talent with a promising future. And the Ligue 1 club's managing director, Pierre Dreossi, has that the Uzbekistan international 'will leave' this month if the right 'economic balance' can be found.

According to , Lens are hoping to flog Khusanov for a fee in excess of £33million. That sum is larger than previously expected and bad news for Newcastle, who are working with a tight budget to stay within PSR limits.

The Magpies are hoping to strengthen this winter but manager Eddie Howe has acknowledged that it is not a matter of what his club and their vast Saudi riches want to do, but rather what they are able to do.

Lens' hefty asking price for Khusanov reportedly makes a move to St James' Park 'unlikely', despite the fact Newcastle chiefs have long been aware of the 20-year-old's potential.

Tottenham are in a similar position. Although Ange Postecoglou has considerably more PSR freedom than Howe, £33m remains a large sum for a centre-back who would sit third, or potentially fourth in the pecking order behind Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin.

As a result, Spurs are 'not expected to battle' for Khusanov, and sporting director Johan Lange is set to take his recruitment search elsewhere. The stars are aligning for City to complete their first move of the window, with Pep Guardiola desperate for reinforcements.

The reigning champions, who have won four Premier League titles in a row, have fallen off in dramatic fashion this season. Sitting 12 points behind table-toppers Liverpool, who have a game in hand, City's title challenge appears to be over and they may even struggle to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Khusanov could help to sure up the Blues' defence, which has been carved open with regularity this season. But Guardiola is also battling issues at the top end of the pitch.

Aside from Erling Haaland, no City player has scored more than four Premier League goals in 2024/25. And the Norwegian's nearest challenger is defender Josko Gvardiol.

Senior figures at the Etihad Stadium are reportedly interested in Eintracht Frankfurt's forward Omar Marmoush, who can play in a number of attacking positions and may help to ease the goals burden on Haaland.