Manchester City have completed a deal for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov which could be worth £33.5m plus add-ons.
Khusanov has agreed to a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for a further year.
Lens boss Will Still said: “We know there are negotiations going on, things are moving forward.”
'He's sick. He was at the gym today, but he went home. (But) after that, we're not going to lie to each other.'
Khusanov will become the first Uzbekistan player to play in the top flight when he completes his signing.
City are expected to make further offers this weekend for 18-year-old Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis and Eintracht Frankurt striker Omar Marmoush.
Man City have completed a deal for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov worth around £35m
Manchester City wants to reinforce Pep Guardiola's squad in the midst of a disappointing season to date
The reigning Premier League champions are looking to complete a deal for Omar Marmoush
Mail Sport previously reported that City are looking to add two or three signings in this window to breathe new life into Pep Guardiola's team and increase competition after a difficult first half of the season.
Khusanov began his career at Energetik-BGU in Belarus, but has become an important player for Lens since arriving in 2023.
That year he entered the ranking of the 200 most promising young people in football, being classified as the fifteenth most exciting centre-back.
Lens have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, having conceded 15 goals in 16 games, just one more than Paris Saint-Germain. Khusanov has helped keep seven clean sheets.
The 20-year-old, who has Champions League experience and has earned 18 caps for Uzbekistan, has also caught the eye of Tottenham and Newcastle.
Mail Sport reported on Thursday that Man City were progressing in talks to sign striker Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £50m.
Frankfurt are a reluctant seller, especially in the winter window, and were hoping to retain the 25-year-old who has scored 18 goals in 24 appearances this season.
Liverpool and Arsenal have also pursued Marmoush but have not pursued their interest and City are willing to pay around £50m for a player who can play in the front line or behind the striker.