Lens tighten wage belt after 2023 lessons, with Champions League in sight | OneFootball

RC Lens have reset their salary policy and aim to keep it tight even with Champions League qualification in sight. The approach is shaped by the bruising 2023 experience.

According to L'Équipe, the wage bill jumped nearly 30 percent from 65.1 million euros in 2022-2023 to 84.8 million in 2023-2024 after costly renewals and high-paid signings, with Elye Wahi on 210,000 euros a month and a 30 million record fee.

The surge helped cost chief executive Arnaud Pouille his job and ushered in austerity from June 2024, with exits for Wahi, Samba, Danso, Pereira da Costa and Frankowski. New leaders Benjamin Parrot and sporting director Jean-Louis Leca were told to keep trimming.

The wage bill, above 40 million gross in May 2025, has been cut to 28 million this season through a leaner squad and trust in La Gaillette talent. The plan is to hold that level next term despite a likely return to the Champions League, with deals for Thauvin, Édouard and Amadou Haidara secured on reduced terms.

Pressure points remain. Covering Allan Saint-Maximin’s pay across a full season would be difficult, and tight budgets complicate renewals for Adrien Thomasson and Malang Sarr, while Wesley Saïd left for a lucrative Al-Shamal contract. The risk of losing both Thomasson and Sarr cannot be dismissed.

Captain Florian Sotoca accepted a drastic pay cut to stay. Loan exits for Koffi, Fulgini and Zaroury should ease costs, and a high-value sale such as Mamadou Sangaré is possible, with fees and wages kept in check.

Source: L'Équipe