Leeds United: How much Abdukodir Khusanov earns a week and where he would rank amongst Elland Road top earners | OneFootball

FLW outline the weekly wage of Abdukodir Khusanov of RC Lens amid interest from Leeds United.

It has been reported that Leeds United have placed a bid for RC Lens’ 20-year-old central defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

According to French outlet Top Mercato, Lens’ owner is hoping to generate more cash for the club in January, in order to better balance their financial situation, even if this means key players leaving the club.

Daniel Farke’s men are currently vying for automatic promotion from the Championship, but will still be looking to strengthen their squad to ensure they get over the line and secure promotion.

Top Mercato state that Leeds have ready to table a mammoth offer of €20 million (£16.6 million) for the Uzbekistan international, but also face competition from some of Europe’s top sides, including some Premier League giants.

Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United are among the Premier League names interested, but PSG and RB Leipzig are keeping tabs on his progress elsewhere on the continent.

Abdukodir Khusanov's wages amid interest from Leeds

Given their financial situation, Lens appear keen to sell, but only if their asking price is met. It is instead being reported that Lens have set their asking price between €25 and €30 million, which may be stretching out of the Whites' price range for a mid-season deal.

Considering Khusanov and the club's situation, it is unlikely that he earns a weekly wage that outstrips some of Leeds' top earners at the club. Per Capology, Patrick Bamford is Leeds' highest-paid player, just ahead of the likes of Junior Firpo, Pascal Struijk, and Dan James. His estimated weekly wage is £70,000, with other top earners around the £50k-60k mark.

Leeds' wage bill is costing them around £708,000 per week, as per Capology's estimates. That is an average weekly wage of 30,783 and an average annual payroll of £36,816,000. That figure places the Whites as the highest spenders in the Championship and is significantly above every other team in the league.

That figure is more than the Ligue 1 side in total. Meanwhile, Khusanov is one of the lowest earners, with the 20-year-old above only four first-team players due to his €2,692 weekly wage. It is perhaps reflective of his age and his rapid rise from a youth defender at the club to being a regular in the heart of their defence.

There are no Leeds players earning less than that in their first-team squad of senior players, with Alex Cairns' £5,000 per week the lowest wage figure per Capology. Struijk (£50,000) and Joe Rodon (£40,000) are the central defenders whom he would compete with, and they far outstrip him in weekly wage terms.

Leeds' central defensive options amid Abdukodir Khusanov interest

Leeds' centre-back options for 2024/25 see Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk as the established starters. Together, they have been imperious thus far. The combination of aerial ability and distribution make them one of the division's outstanding pairs.

However, depth is an issue. Max Wöber offers high-quality cover, but he has struggled with injuries, limiting his availability. Defensive midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Josuha Guilavogui are capable of filling in at centre-back, but it’s not their natural role, and Leeds risk losing impact in midfield when taking Ampadu out.

Young James Debayo is a promising prospect, but expecting him to play regular minutes for a promotion-chasing side is likely to be too soon for his development. Leeds have a reliable starting duo but are stretched thin in terms of quality cover, which could be problematic as the season progresses.

However, Khusanov would likely see himself as a starting player if he were to join, given that he has already won 14 caps for Uzbekistan’s national team and has cemented himself in Lens’ side this season. Khusanov has missed just two league games for a Lens side who have been impressive again this season and currently sit in the top half.

Khusanov is now into his second season with Lens, having joined from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU back in 2023.

Leeds are going to have to work hard if they are to secure the signature of the young centre-back, however, due to the sheer stature of some of the other clubs keeping tabs on his progress.