Manchester City locks down Khusanov through 2031 as Premier League clubs double down on long-term player investments

Abdukodir Khusanov, the 22-year-old Uzbek center-back, has signed a five-year contract extension with Manchester City that keeps him at the club until 2031. Khusanov originally arrived at the Etihad from French club Lens in January 2025 for a reported fee of around €40 million. He became the first Uzbek player to feature in the Premier League, and has since racked up 27 appearances and one goal.

The retention play

Manchester City has simultaneously locked down Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden with similar long-term deals. Rather than cycling through expensive transfer windows, City is choosing to secure existing assets at known valuations. Khusanov’s original €40 million transfer fee now looks like a bargain if his trajectory continues, and the extension ensures City captures that upside rather than watching him walk into a bidding war in 2028.

Khusanov’s value as a playing asset will be amortized across the life of his deal, meaning City spreads the accounting impact of his €40 million transfer fee over a longer period. This is basic football accounting, but it’s the same principle that governs how companies account for any long-term capital expenditure.

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