→ Rennes’ appetite
In search of a more solid eleven after a failed start to the season, Stade Rennes launched the big maneuvers during this winter transfer window. After the arrival of Seko Fofana, the SRFC is now eyeing Brice Samba to keep his cages. It must be said that at 39 years old, Steve Mandanda is no longer young, less decisive, but above all does not have the favor of the new coach Jorge Sampaoli, who had already pushed him towards the exit in Marseille in 2022. press conference, the former Chilean coach was clear: “We want players to commit for 3-4 years. It's hard to find them in January. We are therefore more about quality than quantity. Players are interesting but difficult to convince. Ideally, as a coach, I would like one player per line. » Bringing together the two major figures of RC Lens sauce 2022-2023, second in Ligue 1 with only a small point behind the Parisian champion, seems to be a daring but not inconsistent bet. For that, we will have to succeed in convincing the Lensois leaders.
→ The state of the RC Lens treasury
« I learned about Brice's wishes during the holidays, il had received an offer. From the moment the choice is made, there isn't much to discuss. Keeping a player who no longer wants to be there is not necessarily a good thing in the locker room. Ultimately, it's not that complicated. » This clear statement is signed Will Still. If the Sang et Or coach faces this potential loss with such a philosophy, it is also because he knows the financial situation of RC Lens. Despite the good sale of Elye Wahi this summer (25 million to Marseille), the Artesian club still needs liquidity, particularly following the backpedaling of the American investment fund Isos Capital. If https://twitter.com/RCLens/status/1864014481107386486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1864014481107386486%7Ctwgr%5Ee8e1894fceb1b9a0480a23790d7909e3cad4afe7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lavoixdunord.fr%2F1529821%2Farticle%2F2024-12-03%2Faucune-mesure-prise-contre-le-rc-lens-la-dncg-donne-son-feu-vert last December, the club was still in financial difficulty. Therefore, a departure of his goalkeeper for more than 15 million euros would be a godsend. Asked about the winter transfer window, where the northern club must sell to reduce its payroll, Pierre Dréossi, general director of RC Lens, admitted that there were many negotiations “tight” in progress with Rennes. Secondly, the latter revealed that the revelation Abdukodir Khusanov was going to leave: “If “Kodir” has to leave, if the offers are interesting, it is above all to try to find an economic balance. » But hey, as long as Florian Sotoca is there, everything is fine (?).
→ The probable arrival of Pau Lopez
If some Brice Samba aficionados still hoped to see the French international stay in Pas-de-Calais, hopes are dwindling by the hour. Hervé Koffi arrived this summer to deal with this eventuality, but Lens would not spit on a goalkeeper already experienced in Ligue 1.We anticipated Brice's departure, and there is a good chance that in a few days, a guard will arrive to be prepared for all eventualities. », declared Pierre Dréossi before the defeat against Toulouse on Saturday (0-1). This Monday, Pau Lopez would be very close to joining RC Lens according to several sources. The Spanish goalkeeper, who still belongs to OM, should end his loan at Girona (Liga) to join the Sang et Or on loan with an option to buy. If this arrival is confirmed, it would be highly unlikely to see Samba last in Pas-de-Calais.
→ Elon Musk
Everything starts fromhttps://twitter.com/samba_brice/status/1875171387721359748. On January 3, at nap time, Brice Samba drew the famous two-eyed emoticon. Logically, after such a message, everyone expects the officialization of his transfer to Rennes to come out within the day or within 24 hours. Problem is, that doesn’t happen. Once again, Elon Musk's X has wreaked havoc. In comments, Lensois supporters are furious. If the doorman's transfer fails, good luck in making people forget this little outburst.
Khusanov on departure, Samba's transfer to Rennes perhaps not buried
