Manchester City at Risk of Being Outbid, Real Madrid Joins the Race for the 20-Year-Old Talented Center-Back, Highest Bidder Wins!
The English Premier League giants Manchester City have had a poor season so far, falling into a slump after Rodri's injury, with a series of defeats leaving them ranked only sixth in the league table. Despite a recent rebound in form with two consecutive victories, in order to secure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League, Manchester City has started early in the transfer market to find potential signings.
It was previously reported by multiple media outlets that Manchester City was negotiating with Ligue 1 side Lens, with the main target being the 20-year-old Uzbekistani defender, Jasurbek Yakhshiboev. The talks were said to be very advanced, with an expected final price tag of around 25 million euros.
However, according to recent reports from French media outlet Foot Mercato, Real Madrid has also joined the race to sign Yakhshiboev, aiming to secure him during the winter transfer window to address their defensive personnel shortage.
So what are the qualities of this center-back, who is not yet 21 years old, that have attracted these two top-tier clubs?
Jasurbek Yakhshiboev was born on February 29, 2004, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In 2022, he joined Belarusian side Minsk Energy. Due to his outstanding performance with the Uzbekistan youth team, leading them to win the U20 Asian Cup and reaching the round of 16 in the U20 World Cup, Yakhshiboev transferred to Ligue 1 side Lens for a fee of 100,000 euros in the summer of 2023.
At Lens, Yakhshiboev began as a substitute but became the team's starting center-back when Danso was unable to play due to health issues. This season, he has made 16 appearances, starting in 13 matches, and recorded one assist.
Standing at 1.86 meters tall and weighing 84 kilograms, Yakhshiboev is a right-footed player with a strong physique and excellent speed. He possesses strong front-facing defensive capabilities, making fierce tackles and powerful headers, though his technique can be somewhat rough. Additionally, Yakhshiboev can sometimes lack composure, making rash challenges that lead to bookings.
This season, Yakhshiboev's main statistics in Ligue 1 include an average of 1.15 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1.31 clearances per game, with an average of 3.5 successful duels at a success rate of 61%, and a passing accuracy of 89%.
Overall, among center-backs of his age in the top five European leagues, Yakhshiboev's performance stands out, with limitless potential. His market value on Transfermarkt is 12 million euros, and if he maintains this level of play, his value is expected to continue to rise.
Despite his young age, Yakhshiboev has already made 18 appearances for the Uzbekistan national team, playing a key role in the 2023 Asian Cup, the 2024 Olympics, and World Cup qualifiers, making him a top-level defender within Asia.
Due to his excellent physical attributes and impressive performances this season, Yakhshiboev has become a hot commodity in the winter transfer window. English Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Chelsea have all shown interest in signing him, but it was Manchester City who were leading the race.
However, with Real Madrid's entry into the competition, the situation has become more complicated. With injuries to Militao, Carvajal, and Alaba's uncertain return, Yakhshiboev, who can play both right center-back and right-back, could significantly bolster Real Madrid's squad depth.
Lens' general manager, D'Onofrio, stated in an interview that Yakhshiboev will leave, but there are currently no good offers on the table.
Since Yakhshiboev's contract with Lens does not expire until June 2027, the club holds the upper hand in negotiations. D'Onofrio's statement essentially means that Yakhshiboev is available to leave at any time, depending on who offers the highest bid. Regardless, Lens will make a substantial profit, having spent only 100,000 euros a year ago, now reaping significant returns.
So, which top club will Yakhshiboev ultimately join?