Liverpool reportedly target Mamadou Sangare as £35m midfield successor to Mac Allister
Journalist Bence Bocsak outlines valuation strategy as club seeks to rectify midfield performance without matching astronomical fees for other targets
Liverpool are reportedly advancing discussions to sign Mamadou Sangare from RC Lens for a fee estimated at approximately £35m. The move is being framed by sources as a direct replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, addressing a specific deficiency in the squad's physical output following a disappointing fourth-place Premier League finish.
According to journalist Bence Bocsak, the 23-year-old Malian midfielder offers the high intensity and running ability that the Anfield outfit feels it missed during the current campaign. Sangare, who joined RC Lens in the 2025-26 summer window for a reported fee of around £6.9m, has contributed seven goals across all competitions this season while playing primarily as a central midfielder.
The reported valuation of between €40m and €50m is considered a reasonable price point given the player's age and performance level. This contrasts sharply with the competition expected for other potential targets such as Adam Wharton and Elliott Anderson, where the cost of acquisition is likely to be significantly higher.
Liverpool's decision to re-enter the transfer market follows a season where the club failed to secure Champions League qualification despite winning the previous title and spending over £400m on new players in the preceding summer window. The fourth-place finish has necessitated a strategic shift in recruitment, with a general demand for new midfielders evident across the Premier League.
While the specific stage of negotiations between Liverpool and RC Lens remains undetailed, the report relies on updates from Bocsak rather than official club confirmation. It remains unclear if the club will pursue alternative targets if Sangare does not meet their requirements or if the fee becomes prohibitive during the final stages of talks.
The focus on Sangare highlights a broader institutional approach to governance, prioritising specific athletic attributes and value for money over the high-profile names that have dominated recent transfer windows. The club aims to utilise the transfer market to bolster its ranks without incurring the astronomical costs associated with other available options.
