RC Lens have moved into a leading position to sign Algeria international Yacine Titraoui from Sporting Charleroi, with the midfielder now understood to be a priority target for the Ligue 1 club.
Titraoui, 23, is reportedly open to the prospect of joining Lens and playing in the French top flight after turning down a move to Greek side Olympiakos.
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Lens have accelerated their efforts to secure a deal for the central midfielder, who is under contract with Sporting Charleroi until 2027, with an additional one-year option included in the agreement.
The French club are currently in active talks over the transfer and must now convince Sporting Charleroi to part with one of their key assets.
Charleroi set firm asking price
Sporting Charleroi’s hierarchy have set a clear valuation for Titraoui. As first reported by Africafoot, the Belgian club are demanding €11m in guaranteed fees, excluding any potential performance-related bonuses.
That figure stands significantly above Titraoui’s current estimated market value. On specialist website Transfermarkt, the former Paradou AC midfielder is listed at €7m.
The size of the fee underlines Charleroi’s reluctance to lose the player, who has established himself as an important figure in their squad, and poses a financial challenge for Lens as they try to strike an agreement.
Key season for club and country midfielder
Titraoui enjoyed a prominent campaign in 2025-26, making 42 appearances in all competitions for Sporting Charleroi.
Operating primarily in central midfield, he contributed five goals and three assists over the course of the season, performances that have helped raise his profile both domestically and on the international stage with Algeria.
His development in Belgium follows his emergence at Paradou AC, a club noted for producing technically skilled Algerian players, before earning his move to Sporting Charleroi.
Lens target midfield reinforcement
Lens, known as the Sang et Or, see Titraoui as a major target as they look to strengthen their midfield options ahead of the new Ligue 1 season.
While an agreement has yet to be reached, the ongoing discussions, the player’s openness to the move and Lens’ decision to make him a transfer priority place the French side in a strong position in the race for his signature.
Any deal would hinge on Lens meeting, or at least closing in on, Sporting Charleroi’s €11m asking price, with negotiations between the clubs expected to determine whether Titraoui makes the switch to France this summer.
