Lens pursue ‘Algerian Verratti’ Titraoui as French club prepare for record Sangare sale

Lens have opened talks to sign Charleroi midfielder Yacine Titraoui as they brace for the departure of Mamadou Sangare in what is expected to be the most expensive sale in the French club’s history.

After finishing runners-up in Ligue 1 last season and lifting the Coupe de France, Lens are conducting an intensive summer rebuild and have moved to position themselves for Titraoui, who is widely dubbed the “Algerian Verratti” because of his playing style likened to Italy international Marco Verratti.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Lens have begun negotiations with Charleroi over the 22-year-old Algeria international, who has emerged as one of the club’s priority targets to strengthen midfield options.

The approach comes with Malian midfielder Sangare close to leaving Lens to join Brentford. He signed for the northern French side only last season but is now set to be sold for a fee of €48m, a figure that would make him the most expensive outgoing transfer in Lens’ history.

Midfield rebuild under way

Lens have already identified multiple options to compensate for Sangare’s exit. Alongside Titraoui, the club are tracking Dutch midfielder Bogarde, who is currently under contract with Austrian side LASK Linz until 2028.

Bogarde is viewed as a serious candidate, but he is not the only name on the shortlist. Club sources cited by Foot Mercato indicate that Titraoui is among the leading choices for the role, with the Algerian seen as an ideal fit for the technical, possession-based style employed by Lens.

Titraoui has one year remaining on his current deal with Charleroi, which also includes an option for the Belgian club to extend the contract by an additional season. That contractual situation could influence negotiations, with all parties now engaged in discussions over a possible transfer.

Rising Algeria international

Titraoui has earned five caps for Algeria and was included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. However, he did not feature in any matches at the tournament, leaving his search for first minutes on the global stage still ongoing.

At club level, his performances in Belgium over the past campaign have attracted growing attention from scouts and analysts. Titraoui made 42 appearances in all competitions for Charleroi last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.

Those displays have led to increasing comparisons with Marco Verratti, particularly in terms of his vision, tight space control and ability to dictate the tempo from midfield attributes that have helped forge his “Algerian Verratti” nickname.

Champions League lure

Titraoui is understood to be keen on a move to Lens, with the club’s participation in next season’s Champions League a significant factor in his thinking. The opportunity to play in Europe’s elite competition is considered a major advantage for Lens in what is shaping up to be a competitive chase for his signature.

Talks are ongoing between Lens, Charleroi and the player’s representatives as the French side aim to complete a deal that would help offset the impending loss of Sangare while reinforcing their squad for domestic and European commitments.