If RC Lens intends above all to downsize this winter, with the objective of achieving 40 million sales by the month of June and by extension the need to reduce the payroll, the artesian club will undoubtedly be forced to strengthen itself , what’s more after the injury of Rémy Labeau Lascary. And several rumors are already emerging.
RC Lens targets young attackers
Martin Satriano et Rémy Labeau Lascary on the sidelines until the end of the season and Wesley Said more fragile than ever, RC Lens no longer really has any options to compete with or support M’Bala Nzola on the attacking front. From then on and despite budgetary restrictions, RC Lens will undoubtedly have to take action to offer an additional option in attack to Will Still. And according to some rumors, RC Lens would be interested in Loum Tchaounathe 21-year-old striker trained in Rennes and now under contract with Lazio Rome.
Restricted to a joker role in the championship (1 start in 16 matches), the international hopeful (4 caps) participated in all of his team’s matches in the Europa League for a record of one goal and one assist decisive. And if it will undoubtedly be difficult to negotiate a transfer for a player recruited last summer for compensation of 10 million euros, RC Lens was considering a loan with a purchase option. A formula already used for M’Bala Nzola and Martin Satriano.
Another path leads RC Lens to Portugal, again for a young attacker on the rise. At 22 years old, Gabriel Silva is starting to make a name for himself in the Santa Clara jersey. The Brazilian striker, author of three goals and four assists in 16 matches this season, has the advantage of being able to play across the entire attacking front, with a preference for the right lane, just like a certain Rémy Labeau Lascary . This time, the Sang et Or could be tempted by a transfer, much less expensive, with the hope of making a good pick as with Neil El Ayanoui and Abdukodir Khusanov.
A goalkeeper also in the sights? If RC Lens’ short-term priority is undoubtedly to strengthen its offensive sector, the current seventh in Ligue 1 would also be considering its squad of goalkeepers. While a departure from Brice Samba next summer cannot be ruled out, Hervé Koffi seems set to take over. To support the Burkina Faso international, Joseph Oughourlian could make his networks work by recruiting Mattia Fortin, a young 21-year-old goalkeeper under contract in Padua (Italian Serie C), whose owner is none other than the boss of RC Lens.
Photo credits: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport
