RC Lens Secure Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig in €3m Deal

RC Lens have completed the signing of Mali international midfielder Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig for a fee of €3 million, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 27-year-old has agreed a contract with the Ligue 1 leaders that runs until June 2029. The transfer will be officially finalized in January 2026, allowing Haidara to represent Mali at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026) before joining his new club.

Haidara arrived at Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019 for around €11.5 million but has struggled for consistent minutes in recent seasons. He has made only five Bundesliga appearances this campaign, totaling just 87 minutes.

The move represents a significant coup for Franck Haise’s side, who currently top the Ligue 1 table and boast the league’s best defensive record, having conceded only nine goals in fifteen matches.

Haidara brings proven quality in both defensive and box-to-box roles and is expected to provide depth and competition in central midfield as Lens aim to sustain their surprise title challenge through the second half of the season.

The deal was confirmed with Romano’s signature “Here we go” on Monday evening. Medical tests and final paperwork are scheduled for early January.