The Bees have reached a full verbal agreement with RC Lens for the signing of 24-year-old Malian international midfielder Mamadou Sangaré. The package is understood to be worth around €48m (£41m), which will eclipse Brentford’s previous transfer record (the £30m+ deal for Dango Ouattara) and mark the biggest sale in RC Lens’ history.
Sangaré has already departed Lens’ pre-season camp in Italy to travel to London, with a medical scheduled ahead of signing his long-term contract over the weekend.
After arriving at Lens from Austrian side Rapid Vienna for just €5m plus add-ons, Sangaré enjoyed a meteoric rise in French football. In his debut campaign, he established himself as one of Ligue 1’s standout box-to-box defensive midfielders.
Brentford moved decisively to head off late interest from London rivals Crystal Palace, who were eyeing a hijack under former Lens boss Pierre Sage. The Bees’ aggressive approach locked down their primary midfield target to anchor their engine room.
With veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson mutually terminating his contract to join Chelsea, Brentford needed a dynamic, physical replacement in the heart of midfield.
