RC Lens’ summer transfer business saw a balance struck between experienced players and promising talents — and at one stage, the club came close to pulling off a coup in attack.
According to a report from Foot Mercato In mid-July, sporting coordinator Jean-Louis Leca and technical director Benjamin Parrot explored the possibility of signing Luuk de Jong (35). The Dutch international striker was a free agent after leaving PSV Eindhoven, having scored 57 goals across his last three Eredivisie seasons. Lens saw him as a profile capable of both finishing chances and holding up play.
Talks were held with the player’s representatives, but the financial demands of the deal — coupled with the forward’s preference for a sunnier destination — ended Lens’ pursuit. After considering moves to Spain and MLS, De Jong ultimately joined Porto at the beginning of August.
With their top target out of reach, Lens moved for former Celtic and Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Édouard, who arrived to lead the line this season.
GFFN | George Boxall
About Author
You may also like
-
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi reveals he pushed ‘until the last minute’ to rejoin Monaco
-
‘Only he can say no’ – Kylian Mbappé on Zinédine Zidane becoming France manager
-
Al-Hilal fail in approach for Saint-Étienne’s Lucas Stassin
-
‘We all know who will be the next manager’ -Thierry Henry on Didier Deschamps’ successor
-
Three things we learned as France narrowly defeat Iceland to get closer to 2026 World Cup qualification