Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle are chasing Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of a deal in the next transfer window for the breakout star of Ligue 1.

Khusanov, 20, has forced his way into Lens’ team after arriving from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU Minsk just 18 months ago and attracting scouts from Europe’s top teams to watch a player who was signed for €100,000.

While Paris St-Germain have been linked with the Uzbekistan international, it is understood that seven English top-flight clubs are interested in Khusanov, who has started nine of his club’s 13 matches in the campaign.

Lens stand to make a huge profit on a player who could fetch more than £25 million in the current market, with his value poised to increase as he continues to shine in Will Still’s team.

Still, the Belgian-born Briton who was appointed as head coach at Stade Bollaert-Delelis this summer, has picked Khusanov when available, and recalled the defender to the team for this weekend’s win over Reims after he had served a suspension. Khusanov can also play as a defensive midfielder but has been the mainstay of Still’s defence.

Spurs will weigh up whether they need a centre-back in January, injuries having denied them their first-choice pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in recent weeks. Their stunning 4-0 win against Manchester City came with Ben Davies moved inside to centre-back to partner Radu Dragusin.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have watched Khusanov and consider him a promising young talent who could make the step up to the Premier League from French football.

Lens have an impressive record of nurturing talent in recent seasons, with Loïs Openda joining RB Leipzig for €46 million, while Elye Wahi moved to Marseille in summer 2024 for €30 million.