Manchester City linked with Lens centre-back – Liverpool and Juventus mentioned in new transfer battle | OneFootball

Transfer bosses at Manchester City could yet emerge as an interested party in the next emerging central defensive talent to come through French football.

The link comes at a pivotal time for Manchester City’s recruitment department, now led by Sporting Director Hugo Viana, with the club currently locked in a relentless pursuit for a domestic Treble during the ongoing campaign.

The club’s sporting hierarchy is simultaneously planning for a future that may not include Nathan Aké, who continues to be linked with a high-profile move to Serie A, and will certainly not feature John Stones – who will leave the club at the end of the ongoing campaign.

Manchester City’s recent defensive transition formulated over the last 18 months has favoured physically dominant, ball-playing youngsters, highlighted by the recruitment of the likes of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.

RC Lens has become a frequent scouting ground for the Premier League’s elite, particularly after the success of Khusanov at the Etihad Stadium, signed by Manchester City during the 2025 January transfer window.

The €30 million Samson Baidoo battle

Now, according to the information of TuttoJuve, both Manchester City and Liverpool could be tempted by the signing of Lens centre-back Samson Baidoo this summer, while there has also been interest from Aston Villa, Juventus, and Inter Milan.

As translated and relayed by Sport Witness, the defender is described in the original report as being ‘one of the most interesting young players in Europe’, leading to his valuation to increase in the next few months with a current fee claimed to be around €30 million.

Succession planning: Baidoo to join Khusanov?

The prospect of Samson Baidoo joining forces with Khusanov at the Etihad Stadium is no doubt a tantalising one, although Liverpool‘s search for a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk and Juventus‘ reported pursuit indicates that a stern contest is likely to ensue.

If Baidoo continues his current trajectory, particularly if he features strongly in the final Ligue 1 fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, that €30 million valuation could easily skyrocket before the window officially opens in July.

For now, Manchester City remain focused on the upcoming FA Cup Final against Chelsea looming on May 16, and their remaining three matches in the Premier League.

However, the groundwork being laid by Hugo Viana suggests the club intends to act decisively in the market to offset the expected summer exodus of more ageing names.