Charleroi Bayat turns down €7 million, secures €8 million for Titraoui

Yacine Titraoui is on the brink of leaving Sporting Charleroi for Racing Lens, with club chief Mehdi Bayat having turned down a €7 million offer only to secure a deal worth around €8 million for the Algerijn midfielder. The move follows a protracted transfer saga that saw Olympiakos initially in the frame before Bayat refused to fold for the lower fee.

The early weeks of the market had Titraoui poised for a switch to Olympiakos, but Bayat’s insistence on a higher price stalled the negotiation. Frustrated, the Algerijn waited for a better opportunity, which arrived when the French vice‑champion confirmed interest.

Racing Lens, the Franse vice‑kampioen behind PSG, have now reached an agreement with the Zebra’s and Titraoui has already completed his medical tests in northern France. The club announced that a personal deal with the player is imminent, confirming the transfer is close to official.

Financially, Charleroi will receive roughly €8 million for the playmaker, a sum that includes a 10 % sell‑on clause. The clause could become valuable if Titraoui later moves on for a larger fee, adding a potential future windfall for the Carolo’s.

Titraoui arrived in Belgium in 2024 from Paradou AC for €1.2 million and is currently valued at €7 million by Transfermarkt. He has logged 74 appearances for Charleroi, contributing seven goals and five assists, establishing himself as a key figure in the squad.

Lens view the 23‑year‑old as a solution to replace Mamadou Sangaré, who departed for Brentford for €48 million. The French side’s ambition to strengthen the midfield aligns with their recent success in the Ligue 1 race.

The sell‑on clause means that if Titraoui later commands a high transfer fee, the Zebra’s could see a substantial bonus beyond the initial €8 million. This financial structure underlines the strategic nature of the deal for Charleroi.

Although selected for Algeria’s World Cup 2026 squad, the Algerijn did not feature in any group‑stage or knockout‑stage minutes, highlighting his limited international exposure so far.

NIEUW Ontvang meldingen bij belangrijk nieuws! Schrijf je HIER in! Volg Voetbalkrant nu ook via Google! The announcement underscores the club’s communication push alongside the transfer news.

The agreement represents a strong financial win for Charleroi, yet it also marks a sporting loss as the club parts with one of its emerging talents.