Crystal Palace look set to complete their third signing of the transfer window with RC Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure closing in on a move.
According to RMC Sport, Patrick Vieira’s Eagles are set to sign the 22-year-old in a £22m deal and Doucoure will follow Sam Johnstone and Malcolm Ebiowei who have signed for the Selhurst Park outfit on free transfers, following the expiry of their contracts at West Brom and Derby County.
Doucoure’s impressive performances in Ligue 1 over the last 12 months have caught Vieira’s attention and it looks like the former Arsenal captain has got his man to bolster a midfield that will see Conor Gallagher return to Chelsea after a fruitful season-long loan.
But the eight-time Mali international might not be the only RC Lens star who could secure a big money move to the Premier League this summer.
Doucoure’s midfield partner Seko Fofana and France international Jonathan Clauss are also the subject of interest from Premier League clubs.
Spurs are locked in talks with Middlesbrough about signing the England Under-21 international who impressed on loan at Nottingham Forest during their promotion-winning campaign.
But if the north Londoners are unable to reach an agreement with Boro, Spurs’ interest in Clauss could intensify, but they could well face competition for the Frenchman’s signature from rivals Chelsea.
With Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold) players in high demand this summer, HITC Sport takes a look at five former RC Lens stars who shone in the Premier League.
Former Lens stars who shone in the Premier League
Raphael Varane
After coming through the RC Lens academy, the decorated French defender made 24 appearances for the Stade Bollaert-Delelis side before Real Madrid saw off competition from Manchester United to sign the talented centre-back.
The World Cup winner made 360 appearances for Los Blancos, winning four Champions Leagues and three La Liga’s, as well as developing a rock solid partnership with Sergio Ramos.
After ten years in the Spanish capital, Varane signed for Manchester United in a deal that could rise to £42m. The 29-year-old had a difficult first season in England which was hampered by injuries and the Red Devils’ abysmal form.
United’s number 19 will be hoping to fare a lot better under new manager Erik ten Hag and rediscover his former imperious consistency which made him one of the best centre-halves in the world.
El-Hadj Diouf
Following his impressive 2002 World Cup with Senegal, Liverpool brought the forward to Anfield from Lens, and Diouf would go onto play for a host of British clubs.
After scoring six goals from 80 appearances for the Reds, Diouf joined Bolton Wanderers on an initial loan deal, which was later made permanent, and it was with the Trotters that the African produced his best form.
Diouf scored 24 times from 136 games for Bolton before having spells with Sunderland, Blackburn, Rangers, Doncaster and Leeds.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year won the 2003 League Cup with Liverpool and was part of the Rangers side that won the league and cup double during the 2010/11 campaign.
Papa Bouba Diop
The late Senegalese midfielder spent two-and-a-half years with Lens before making the move to the Premier League with Fulham.
The powerful midfielder dominated games and his ability to drive forward from deep was a big asset for the Cottagers.
Diop scored nine goals from 84 games for the Craven Cottage side before making the move to Portsmouth and he was part of Harry Redknapp’s Pompey side that won the 2008 FA Cup.
The defensive midfielder made 72 appearances for the Fratton Park club and finished his career with short spells in the Championship at West Ham United and Birmingham City.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Following three seasons and 88 appearances with Lens, the former Cameroon international was signed by Tottenham where he established himself as the first-choice left-back.
Assou-Ekotto made over 200 appearances for Spurs and played every minute of the club’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2010-11.
After a season-long loan with Queens Park Rangers, the marauding left-back returned to France with Saint-Etienne where he spent a season before joining Metz.
Vladimir Smicer
Following his move to Lens from the club he began his professional career with Slavia Prague, the former Czech Republic international would spend three years in France, which saw him make over 100 appearances and win the league title, before being signed by Liverpool.
Smicer would play 184 times for the red half of Merseyside, scoring 19 goals which included a pivotal strike in the famous 2005 Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul.
During his six years at Anfield, Smicer won six trophies before finishing his playing career back at Slavia Prague, following a spell back in France with Bordeaux.
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