Khusanov’s 2031 contract puts Chelsea link in perspective
Chelsea are reportedly keeping close tabs on Manchester City and Uzbekistan centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, though nothing in the current reporting points to a bid, talks or an agreement of any kind.
Chelsea named among four clubs tracking Khusanov
Transfermarkt published the story on 25 September 2026, naming Chelsea as one of four Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on Khusanov as the market looks ahead to January. The report is framed squarely around clubs plotting their next moves after a record-breaking summer window, rather than any advanced Chelsea interest specifically.
That’s an important distinction. This is scouting-stage stuff, not a transfer story with legs yet, and Transfermarkt doesn’t name the other three clubs said to be watching Khusanov’s situation.
Monitoring, not a move
There’s no asking price attached to Khusanov in the report, no suggestion Manchester City are open to selling, and no indication of talks between the two clubs. What we do know is that Khusanov’s Manchester City contract listing runs through 30 June 2031, which on its own suggests City are under no pressure to entertain offers even if Chelsea did come calling.
It’s a familiar pattern for how Chelsea have approached the market lately. The club already moved for a centre-back this year in Maxence Lacroix. Xabi Alonso is in charge at Chelsea, but the idea that defensive recruitment has been a running theme since he took charge is not established by the available reporting. A speculative Khusanov link fits that pattern of restless recruitment rather than signalling anything concrete.
What we actually know about Khusanov
Beyond his club and international allegiance, the primary reporting confirms Khusanov plays centre-back and is contracted at the Etihad until the summer of 2031. It doesn’t establish his current standing in Pep Guardiola’s XI, his route into English football, or how regularly he’s featured this season, so we won’t pretend to know more than that. That’s also worth bearing in mind alongside Chelsea’s recent business at the back, including the signing of Maxence Lacroix as part of the same squad-building push.
Market value versus asking price
Transfermarkt lists Khusanov’s market value at €50 million. That’s a valuation metric, not a reported Chelsea bid or a confirmed Manchester City asking price, and the two shouldn’t be confused. His long-term contract, running to 2031, points to City holding a strong hand in any future negotiation, whatever number eventually gets attached to a deal.
What happens next
For this to move from rumour to reality, we’d need a formal approach, a reported bid, or further named sourcing linking Chelsea concretely to Khusanov. None of that exists yet. Expect this one to sit in the background as a name worth watching as January edges closer, rather than anything Chelsea are actively pushing right now.
In other news…
Chelsea’s defensive rebuild has been a season-long story, with the club having already spent big on Maxence Lacroix over the summer.
There’s also more context on Alonso’s plans to shake up the first team that help explain why a name like Khusanov’s is even in circulation.
