Manchester City's pursuit of Abdukodir Khusanov has been boosted by the confirmation that Lens intend to cash in on their protege this year.

City are poised to accelerate plans to bring in the 20-year-old, who has been on the club's radar for more than 12 months, amid a need for new recruits and a defensive injury crisis. The Blues could make their move this month with a £20million fee being suggested as enough to sign the talented centre back.

Khusanov has been linked with Newcastle United and Chelsea amid others with several of Europe's leading lights casting an eye over the defender. City need reinforcements in that area with Ruben Dias sidelined and John Stones having suffered an injury-hit campaign. Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have also missed matches this term.

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Speaking to DAZN before Lens’ Ligue 1 home game against Toulouse over the weekend, Dréossi said: “Khusanov will leave, there haven’t been any good bids yet. There will be departures and arrivals. We will have more than enough quality players to qualify for Europe.

“If he is to leave and if the bids are interesting enough, above all, it’s about finding an economic balance.”

It remains to be seen whether Lens will cash in on Khusanov in January or wait until the summer but it's clear his future lies away from the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Khusanov was suspended for the game against Toulouse, which Lens lost 1-0. It leaves them seventh in the Ligue 1 table, three points off the top six and the European places.