Ligue 1 side Lens target French-Ivorian centre-back Raux-Yao

Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao could be set for a return to France, with RC Lens reportedly showing interest in the central defender ahead of the next transfer window.

The 26-year-old, who currently plays for SK Rapid Vienna, has emerged as a key figure in Austria, attracting attention after a series of consistent performances in both domestic and other competitions.

While no official bid has yet been submitted, reports indicate that a transfer could materialise if Lens present a sufficiently strong financial offer.

Rapid Vienna are understood to be open to negotiations, but only if the proposal meets their valuation of the player.

Raux-Yao joined Rapid Vienna in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer from Rodez AF and has since developed into a regular starter.

His impact has been immediate, with the defender featuring consistently throughout the current campaign.

This season, he has made 33 appearances across all competitions, underlining his reliability and importance within the squad.

In the Austrian Bundesliga alone, he has featured in 23 matches during the 2025/2026 season.

His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Lens, currently competing at the top end of Ligue 1, closely monitoring his situation.

The French club are believed to be assessing defensive reinforcements as they look to strengthen their squad.

Despite the growing interest, Rapid Vienna remain in a strong negotiating position.

Raux-Yao is under contract until June 2028, giving the Austrian club significant leverage in any potential discussions.

The absence of a confirmed release clause further strengthens their stance, meaning any interested club would likely need to meet a substantial asking price.

The defender is currently valued at around €3.5 million, although Rapid Vienna are reportedly seeking a higher fee, potentially in the high seven-figure range, should they agree to a sale.

Born in France and of Ivorian descent, Raux-Yao represents a profile that combines European experience with physical and tactical attributes suited to top-level competition.

As the transfer window approaches, his situation is expected to attract further attention, especially if Lens decide to formalise their interest with an official offer.

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Mubarak Haruna
Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

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