Lens summer signing Samson Baidoo is reportedly attracting interest from four European heavyweights, including Manchester City and Liverpool, who are said to have already prepared their moves for the Austrian defender.
Racing Club de Lens are enjoying an outstanding season, sitting in a surprise second place in Ligue 1. The Sang et Or are also set to play a Coupe de France quarter-final against Lyon on Thursday evening. Unsurprisingly, a number of players have caught the eye this campaign and are already being courted ahead of the summer transfer window.
Robin Risser has been linked with a second Premier League club in Newcastle after Tottenham, while Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay €40m for Mamadou Sangare, which would represent a record sale for Lens. But the interest does not stop there. According to SportsBoom, Samson Baidoo is also attracting significant attention on the market.
Manchester City and Liverpool leading the race for Baidoo
According to the outlet, the 21-year-old, who arrived at the club last summer for £6.8m (€8m), is drawing interest from four European giants: Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Manchester City and Liverpool. The two English clubs are reportedly the frontrunners to sign the Austria under-21 international.
The German and Italian sides are said to have merely scouted the defender on several occasions and are monitoring his situation. Baidoo is described as a player ready to step up to the biggest clubs, with scouts praising his physical profile as “athletic, resilient and explosive”.
An important starter at Lens with 20 appearances, two goals and two assists this season, the former RB Salzburg man is expected to be the subject of concrete approaches this summer. The Sang et Or are aware of the growing interest surrounding their centre-back, who is under contract until June 2030.
Lens demanding between £38m and £47m for Baidoo
Although Lens have declared Baidoo untransferable, that has not deterred his suitors. According to SportsBoom, the club are expected to demand between £38m and £47m (€45m-€55m) for the Austrian, which would set a new club record, surpassing the current one jointly held by Lois Openda and Abdukodir Khusanov at €40m.
The same source indicates that Manchester City and Liverpool have already drawn up their plans to sign the centre-back. The Sky Blues would reportedly look to negotiate a transfer this summer with a one-year loan back to Lens, allowing Baidoo to continue his development in Ligue 1 before joining the Premier League in 2027. The Reds, on the other hand, would want to sign him directly this summer and integrate him into their defensive rotation.
