Defensive reinforcements for Man City! Pep Guardiola adds rapid Ligue 1 centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov to January transfer shortlist

Per Fabrizio Romano, City have added Khusanov to their shortlist as they seek defensive reinforcements. Pep Guardiola's side are one of several elite clubs eyeing a move for the Lens star, who has clocked a speed of 37 kilometres per hour in Ligue 1.

City have been in rancid form in recent weeks and have won just one of their last five games. They currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and have conceded 26 goals in 19 games; no other team in the top six has shipped as many. They are also 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, leading Guardiola to concede that they cannot win the Premier League title.

There has never been an Uzbek footballer in the Premier League and Khusanov would become the first were he to move to City. He has 18 caps for his country at the age of 20.

City will hope to strengthen their squad this month as they aim to climb the Premier League table and get back into Champions League qualification contention. They face West Ham this weekend.