Football League World
·24 August 2024
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·24 August 2024
Teden Mengi is believed to be on the French side's shortlist ahead of the final days of the transfer window.
RC Lens are eyeing a move for Luton Town centre-back Teden Mengi.
This is according to Foot Mercato, who believe the French club are weighing up a potential loan deal for the Hatters' defender, which would include an option to buy.
Lens saw Kevin Danso perform for Austria in Euro 2024 and with the player impressing clubs, it seems likely that he will move on from the Ligue 1 outfit before the transfer window closes.
Foot Mercato believes his potential departure is "probable", with the defender recently the subject of a rejected bid from AS Roma.
This offer was thought to be north of €20 million, but that isn't enough for Lens who are keen to secure more for him.
Even if Pablo Dybala isn't sold by Roma, there is "no doubt" that the Serie A side will submit another bid for the Austrian.
It's believed that a €23m offer could be enough to see Danso make the move to the Italian capital, but it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to make an offer in this region after having their previous offer rejected.
Atalanta have also been named in this report as an interested side, but Roma may be in pole position to secure his signature.
Foot Mercato believe that the French side are prepared to "move forward" in their quest to recruit Mengi and are considering making a loan offer, with an option to buy included in the deal.
Mengi played regularly in the Premier League last season and with this top-tier experience under his belt, the French side are seemingly keen to get a deal over the line for him.
With Danso potentially on his way out in the coming days, a deal will need to be wrapped up quickly, and they are thought to be looking at Mengi as his potential replacement.
They aren't the first side to take an interest in him this summer, with fellow French team Nice also reported to have been interested in him earlier in the window, as they hunted for a replacement for Jean-Clair Todibo.
Mengi could be a key player at Luton again this season - and he performed very well last weekend against Portsmouth.
Helping the Hatters to keep a clean sheet away from home with 10 men, he deserves a lot of credit.
His performance on the south coast reinforced his importance to the team, and the Hatters should not be entertaining a potential loan exit for him this summer, even if it includes an option to buy.
A sale could boost Rob Edwards' summer budget, but with less than a week to go until the window closes, they should be looking to retain the central defender.
The player could also benefit from staying put, because he could be part of an exciting, promotion-chasing season at Kenilworth Road.