RC Lens has reportedly accepted a $41 million for Abdukodir Khusanov, who is regarded as one of the best young defenders in French soccer.

He spent his youth in the capital of his native Uzbekistan playing for FC Bunyodkor in Tashkent, a team that gained notoriety in 2008 for signing Rivaldo and hiring Zico as manager. A country not traditionally known for its football, Khusanov left at the age of 18 for Belarus and FC Energetik-BGU Minsk.

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of defender Abdukodir Khusanov after reaching an agreement with RC Lens, sources have told ESPN.