According to Abdukodir Khusanov’s agent, Newcastle United were ‘very close’ to completing a deal for Manchester City’s new signing, but financial fair play stumped them.
Newcastle have not completed any business in the January transfer window so far for both outgoings and incomings, with just a week left until the market closes until the summer.
The Magpies are in an advantageous position at present, with just one game standing in their way for another trip to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final and are in a great position in the Premier League table to secure European football for next season.
Indeed, there have been huge improvements in form and performances in recent months, however, there is still a lingering concern about the club’s ambitions in the transfer market and a worry they could get left behind when other clubs are strengthening.
As usual, Newcastle have been linked to several players since the turn of the year, and their own players have been mooted for moves away from the North East before the window shuts.
Both Martin Dubravka and Miguel Almiron have had confirmed approaches from foreign clubs, but, as of yet, nothing has materialised in offloading the pair, the latter becoming surplus to requirements with limited game time this season.
One of the rumoured targets was Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, a talented 20-year-old centre-back who has been going from strength to strength in France since breaking out of his native Uzbekistan.
However, any potential of completing a deal is now off the table as Premier League champions Manchester City have secured his signature for £33m on a four-and-a-half year deal, which is a huge blow for Newcastle who have the ambitions of following in the Sky Blues’ footsteps of domestic domination.
Now Khusanov’s agent Gairat Khasbiullin has spoken out to confirm that Newcastle were actually “favourites” to sign the youngster, but financial fair play restrictions played a part in their inability to progress:
“Newcastle were very close to the deal,” he said.
“They even remained one of the favourites (to sign him), and then was the last to leave the race with City. As far as I understand, financial fair play also had an impact.
“Well, they didn’t have enough time. Perhaps if they had made an offer earlier, they would have had time to come to an agreement. Then City put so much pressure on Lens that it was difficult to make a comparable offer. It was also influenced by the fact that the French needed this money.”
Will Newcastle sign players this month?
There is no doubt that there will be frustration growing for not only the supporters, but for the hierarchy at the club who are committed to building an ambitious project on Tyneside.
Losing out on the talented defender will be a blow to the Geordies, especially after the very public failure to deliver a defender signing when Crystal Palace rejected multiple advances from Newcastle for England star Marc Guehi.
There seems to be a complete lack of transparency on what structure and the parameters that Newcastle are working within on their recruitment process, and what deals are even possible for them to achieve, which will only fuel more concern for fans the longer the club have these near misses with the acquisition of talent.
It is hard to tell if the club will look to bring in a new addition over the remaining week of the window, however, it is likely to depend on the situation with outgoings if – as referenced by Khasbiullin – FFP did indeed play a part in why Khusanov was unable to complete a move to the North East.
With that being said, there is still plenty to be excited about over the business end of the season for Newcastle fans and the possibility of winning a domestic trophy next month will definitely be on the minds of many.