This is one of the most dazzling revelations of the season in Ligue 1. Arriving at RC Lens for 8 million euros, Mamadou Sangaré literally exploded in the colors of blood and gold. The 23-year-old Malian midfielder, snubbed by the UNFP trophies, recently took his revenge by winning the Marc-Vivien Foé prize for the best African player in the championship. A well-deserved reward (he beat Lamine Camara and Moussa Niakhaté) for the man who established himself as one of the great architects of the Artesian club’s exceptional season.
Last season, Lens smelled a good deal by snatching it from Rapid Vienna for a check for €8 million after finishing as the best recoverer in the Austrian Bundesliga (200) and the Europa Conference League (69). And the result exceeded all expectations: with 33 matches, 3 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season and constant activity, Sangaré has established himself as the metronome of the Lens game alongside Adrien Thomasson.
More than his statistics, it is his impact on the field that impresses. Sangaré is the archetypal “box-to-box transition monster”. Capable of playing as a No. 8 or No. 6, he shines through his incessant mobility, his defensive aggressiveness and his ability to progress the game.I love going to defend against the opponent. I’ve really improved on that… I really like this aspect of my game, because it really gives me pleasure to go and recover balls», he recently confided to RFI. His profile, combining intensity in recovery and volume of precise passes, makes him a rare and extremely coveted player.
Manchester United fell under the spell of Sangaré
A rise which has not gone unnoticed in Europe since around ten European clubs, including several from the Premier League, are in the running. In England, it is Manchester United who seem particularly determined to win the game. Faced with the departure of Casemiro and disappointing performances in their midfield (notably Ugarte), the Red Devils identified the crucial need to recruit at least two midfielders, or even three, to calmly approach their return to the Champions League. Seduced by his profile, and impressed by his development and his room for improvement, the Mancunian club is preparing an offer to secure the services of the recent winner of the Coupe de France.
On the Lensois side, and despite a contract that runs until 2030, we are inevitably preparing to lose our nugget. Aware of the enthusiasm generated (more than ten clubs interested), RC Lens knows that it will be almost impossible to retain him. If no firm offer has yet been made, the looming battle risks raising the stakes well beyond the 40 million euros of its estimated value on Transfermarkt. The assurance of an incredible added value which will make it possible to further secure the finances of the Sang et Or. If MU is interested, there is no doubt that it will not be alone. But one thing seems certain, the Sangaré soap opera is only just beginning.
