The Racing Club de Lens is going through a period of financial and sports restructuring, requiring a significant reduction in payroll. Several elements of the workforce, including the most substantial salaries, should therefore be excluded during the next winter mercato. Among the players involved are profiles such as Facundo Medina, whose course seems to be coming to an end within the club, M’Bala Nzola, whose shopping option will not be activated, Angelo Fulgini, whose commitment lacks conviction, Anass Zaroury, whose performance is disappointing, and Nampally Mendy, who was already targeted for a start last winter. This purge is likely to lead to a new reorganisation of the team led by Will Still, especially as players currently on loan will return.

The situation of Salis Abdul Samed, a Ghanaian international midfielder, raises a major issue. An essential element of Franck Haise’s scheme during the 2022-2023 season, which had been concluded by an honorable second place behind Paris Saint-Germain, he was lent this season to Sunderland following a disappointing year 2023-2024. This loan, far from being conclusive, was hampered by recurring muscle problems, preventing the player from fully integrating into the team. The English club therefore seems unwilling to exercise its option to retain it.

The return of Salis Abdul Samed to Lens raises the question of a potential resale or a new loan. Given its almost white year, offers should be limited. The RC Lens could therefore be forced to keep it, a default solution that could, however, be surprising. For this, the player will have to return to the path of rigour and show a renewed professionalism, his hygiene of life having been previously questioned.