Wolverhampton and West Ham United clubs have entered the race to sign the young Uzbek right-back Bakhrouz Karimov, player of Surkhan Termez club, after the level he showed with his national team in the 2026 World Cup.
Bakhrouz Karimov
Club: Uzbekistan
The two teams, which were relegated to the English First Division, are preparing to play a season in the Championship with the aim of a quick return to the English Premier League.
Wolverhampton had bolstered its ranks by signing Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez, while West Ham has financial liquidity after selling Matheus Fernandes to Tottenham.
According to Sports Mole, the two clubs are monitoring Karimov, who stole the spotlight at the World Cup despite not exceeding 18 years of age.
The right-back played four international matches with the Uzbekistan national team, including two starts in the World Cup, where he played a full 90 minutes against Colombia and Portugal in the right-back and right-wing position, before missing the final match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At club level, Karimov scored three goals during 25 matches wearing the shirt of Surkhon Termiz, which occupies 12th place in the Uzbek League, while less than 18 months remain on his contract, which may prompt his club to consider upcoming offers after the player's stock rose.
Two years ago, Wolverhampton had signed a similar talent, Pedro Lima, who is expected to be the first substitute for Trippier during the new season, which raises questions about the team's need to sign a new right-back.
In contrast, West Ham includes the duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker-Peters in this position, but reports indicate the possibility of one of them leaving this summer, which may open the door to signing Karimov.
The two clubs believe that the player possesses the elements of development to become an important element at the club and national team level, while keen to ensure his continued regular participation during the next stage of his career.
