Lens defensive midfielder Mamadou Sangare, who was revealed on a list of targets for Liverpool this summer, is now set to join Brentford for €48 million.
Sangare was named among Liverpool’s alternatives to Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton back in May, having emerged as as an attractive option in the market.
But with no movement from Anfield at this stage, the 24-year-old is now closing on a switch to fellow Premier League side Brentford as Jordan Henderson heads to Chelsea.
L’Equipe reported on Tuesday that a deal with Lens was being finalised, with Foot Mercato now claiming an agreement is in place.
The move will be worth €48 million (£41.1m) and rules out a target many Liverpool fans hoped would join Andoni Iraola‘s side as a specialist No. 6.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Curtis Jones during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola (R) speaks to Curtis Jones during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A 16-cap Mali international, Sangare is also heavily involved in progressing play, creating chances and testing the goalkeeper from range.
There have been no departures from Iraola’s midfield ranks at this stage despite Inter Milan’s pursuit of Curtis Jones – and that may have influenced the inactivity around reinforcements.
Jones is considered available despite the head coach voicing his desire to keep him beyond the final year of his current deal, however Inter are yet to meet a reasonable £35 million price tag.
Wataru Endo could also be among the candidates to leave but is still recovering from a long-term foot injury which ruled him out of the World Cup with Japan.
Which other midfielders could Liverpool target?
Along with Wharton and Sangare, journalist David Lynch also credited Liverpool with an interest in Monaco’s Lamine Camara, who was more recently linked with Newcastle.
Newcastle have since signed Monaco team-mate Aladji Bamba in a £34 million deal, though his exit could impact any decision over Camara’s future.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool – who are prioritising Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola – will eventually sign a new midfielder.
Trey Nyoni is emerging as a viable option for a squad role, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch have signed new contracts and Iraola told reporters earlier this month that he is planning around Alexis Mac Allister.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I think Alexis has been one of the club’s best players in the past years,” Iraola said when asked about LaLiga interest in Mac Allister.
“He has had a very good World Cup and it’s normal that other clubs want our best players, our good players, it always happens in all the markets.
“But I want to keep my good players. Probably I’m looking forward more to signing new players than losing the ones we have here.”
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Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Fowler, Rush, shorts collage FI
Fowler, Rush, shorts collage FI
Football – Pre-Season – Liverpool USA Tour Day 3
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola stops to sign autographs for supporters as he returns to the team hotel after a morning training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)