Lens attempted to sign Youssouf Ndayishimiye before the defender signed for Nice | OneFootball

L’Équipe are reporting that RC Lens made a late attempt to sign Youssouf Ndayishimiye (24) from Istanbul Basaksehir before the defender joined Ligue 1 rivals OGC Nice.

Ndayishimiye arrived at the Allianz Riviera during the final week of the transfer window for just over €11m, and the player made his debut in Les Aiglons’ narrow 1-0 victory over Lille OSC just a matter of days later. However, he could instead have joined Ligue 1 rivals Lens.

Florent Ghisolfi left Le Sang et Or earlier in the season to become the new sporting director at Nice. The player is clearly one of Ghisolfi’s long-term, and one considered whilst he was at Lens. Whilst Nice had a deal in place with the player and the club, Lens, who despite Ghisolfi’s departure were still interested in the centre-back, then made their move. A bidding war ensued between the clubs, which was ultimately won by Nice, who got their man.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle