Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov has officially signed with Manchester City in a deal worth €40 million (£33.8m), with additional performance-based bonuses. The 20-year-old defender joins from Ligue 1 side RC Lens on a four-and-a-half-year contract, becoming the first player from Uzbekistan to join a Premier League club.

Khusanov, who will don the number 45 jersey at City, expressed his excitement about the move. “Joining Manchester City is a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve admired this club for years and am thrilled to now be a part of it. The squad is packed with world-class players, and I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and compete alongside them.

“Pep Guardiola is a legendary coach, and the opportunity to work under his guidance is incredible. I’m looking forward to improving my game and taking on this new challenge. This is a proud moment for me and my family.”

City’s Vision for Khusanov
Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised the signing, emphasizing Khusanov’s potential. “We’re delighted to welcome Abdukodir to Manchester City. At just 20 years old, he already shows remarkable intelligence on the pitch, combined with strength, aggression, and exceptional pace,” he said.

“Under Pep’s leadership, we’re confident he will develop into an even better player. His determination to improve is clear, and we’re excited to see him grow as part of our squad. This signing aligns with our commitment to maintaining one of Europe’s top teams.”

A Promising Career Path
Khusanov’s journey to the Premier League began with Belarusian side Energetik-BGU, where he launched his professional career. His performances earned him a move to Ligue 1 in 2023, where he featured in 31 matches for RC Lens.

The young defender has also represented Uzbekistan on the international stage, earning 18 caps for his country. His deal with Manchester City runs until the summer of 2029, marking the next chapter in his promising career.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is actively pursuing reinforcements following his side’s disappointing defeat to Brighton.

The team’s recent performances had shown glimpses of progress, with a draw against league leaders Liverpool and victories over Arsenal and Southampton suggesting that Amorim might have found his rhythm. However, a crushing 3-1 loss to Brighton has left the 39-year-old reassessing his strategy.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Amorim expressed his frustration, calling this the “worst United team in the club’s history,” emphasizing the urgent need for fresh talent. Now, it appears his demands are starting to gain traction as the transfer deadline looms.

United Close to Signing Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu
One of the key positions United are looking to strengthen is left-back, and Amorim may soon secure his first signing as manager. According to reports from The Athletic, the club is in advanced discussions with Lecce over 20-year-old Danish international Patrick Dorgu.

Dorgu, who has earned four caps for Denmark, is seen as a perfect fit for Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Despite the progress in talks, there’s a potential hurdle: the youngster signed a new contract with Lecce just a few months ago in October.

The deal for Dorgu is expected to be the first of several signings in this transfer window, as United’s recruitment team ramps up efforts to bolster the squad. Scouts have already been dispatched on missions, including a recent visit to Portugal to monitor talent.

United Scouts Watch Porto Game
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Manchester United scouts were present during Porto’s 3-1 loss to Gil Vicente. The trip marks one of several instances where United’s representatives have been keeping tabs on Portuguese talent.

While the specific target of United’s interest remains unclear, scouts from other clubs, including Southampton, Marseille, Bologna, and Mallorca, were also present at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. Following the defeat, Porto’s manager faced the sack, adding more intrigue to the situation.

Antony Set for Real Betis Loan
On the outgoing front, Brazilian winger Antony appears close to leaving Old Trafford. After failing to meet expectations since his high-profile move, the 24-year-old is reportedly on the verge of joining La Liga side Real Betis on loan.

As reported by Revelo, Betis has accelerated negotiations for Antony, identifying him as their priority target. Talks have progressed significantly, with the player agreeing to the move. The deal now awaits final approval from United’s hierarchy before Antony can head to Spain for his medical and complete the transfer.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta shared his thoughts after his team’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, acknowledging defensive lapses as a key factor in the setback.

Arteta admitted that if the Gunners continue to defend as they did at Villa Park, their aspirations for the Premier League title will remain out of reach.

Arsenal’s Defensive Struggles
Despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, Arsenal saw their advantage evaporate in the second half. Within just eight minutes, Aston Villa struck back with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

For Villa’s first goal, Tielemans capitalized on a lapse in concentration from Mikel Merino, while Watkins exploited Thomas Partey’s defensive misstep to secure the equalizer.

Speaking to the media after the match, Arteta didn’t shy away from addressing the issues. “In attack and defense, we’ve been playing at an incredibly high level,” he told Sky Sports. “We’ve faced strong opposition and performed well, but there’s something missing.”

Arteta emphasized the importance of precision, saying, “The margin is so small. We can’t concede those kinds of goals and expect to stay at the top. Today, it was clear what was missing. We had discipline, commitment, and quality, but those defensive errors have cost us in the past, and we cannot afford them moving forward.”

A Missed Opportunity in the Title Race
The draw was especially painful for Arsenal, as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table with a dramatic stoppage-time win over Brentford. Arsenal now trail Liverpool by six points, with the Reds still holding a game in hand.

Despite the frustration, Arsenal had opportunities to reclaim the lead late in the match. Havertz had a goal disallowed for handball after deflecting a shot from Merino into the net, and Merino himself came close with a powerful strike that was tipped onto the woodwork by the Villa goalkeeper.

Arteta’s Rallying Cry
While clearly disappointed, Arteta took the opportunity to praise his team’s overall performance and resilience. “I’m incredibly proud of the way we played—how dominant and fluid we were,” he said. “We’ve just played three games in six days, and the effort from the players has been phenomenal.”

Looking ahead to a demanding stretch of six matches across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League, Arteta urged his team to remain focused. “We deserved more from this game, and it’s painful not to get it. But we’ll take the lessons, stay together, and push on. There’s so much more to fight for this season.”