RC Lens Target Former PSG Defender Before Deadline

A few days before the close of the summer transfer window, RC Lens is actively seeking to sign a left-footed centre-back. Several leads are under review, including one leading to former PSG player El Chadaille Bitshiabu.

The transfer market is nearing its close. Like all the other French clubs, RC Lens has until midnight on Sept. 2 to wrap up its final arrivals. As of today, Dino Toppmoller has reason to be satisfied with his current squad but would not say no to reinforcement in the defensive area.

According to the latest news, Jean-Louis Leca has gotten to work to sign a new left-footed central defender to fill a gap at that position. According to Le Parisien, El Chadaille Bitshiabu is among the players being closely followed.

According to the Parisian outlet, RC Lens is closely monitoring developments in El Chadaille Bitshiabu's situation. An RB Leipzig player since the summer of 2023, after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for 15 million euros, the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges native has had little playing time with the Bulls.

As proof, last season he played only 11 Bundesliga matches, averaging 60 minutes per game. This situation is visibly becoming tiresome for him, and he would look favourably on a move to RC Lens.

Indeed, Le Parisien states that the 6-foot-5 centre-back is keen on the idea of returning to the French league, even more so with the prospect of taking part in the next edition of the Champions League in the colours of the Sang et Or. 

Lens now needs to see its efforts through, while a loan with a purchase option appears to be the most likely route given his still-high market value (18 million euros according to Transfermarkt). In parallel, RC Lens is also examining the Nathan Zeze (Neom SC) matter.

In other news, Ibrahim Mbaye is reportedly moving away from Liverpool and getting closer to another club, according to L'Equipe. A club whose name has not yet been leaked.

Left in the stands against Lens and then not called up against Rennes, Mbaye is set to leave PSG before the end of the transfer window, with two years left on his contract. The 18-year-old French-Senegalese winger is seeking more playing time than at PSG, which, for its part, is ready to turn the page with its young winger.

Reported to be in the sights of several English and German clubs since the start of the transfer window, Mbaye appeared to favour Liverpool, with whom a contractual agreement had been announced by RMC Sport before being denied by the Reds, according to the English media.