Lens eyes Algerian Verratti as Titraoui arrives for €8m

Algerian international Yacine Titraoui has signed for RC Lens from Charleroi for a reported €8 million, with the 23‑year‑old midfielder dubbed the “Algerian Verratti” by supporters. The transfer comes swiftly after Mamadou Sangaré’s departure to Brentford, and Lens expects Titraoui to fill the creative void in midfield.

Lens did not delay. After securing Thorgan Hazard from Anderlecht and Michal Skoras from La Gantoise, the club added a third Jupiler Pro League player, confirming its summer focus on Belgian talent.

Titraoui is a product of Paradou AC, the academy that also produced Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Atal and Hicham Boudaoui. He amassed 86 matches, 12 goals and 13 assists with the PAC before moving to Charleroi in 2024.

At Charleroi he logged 74 appearances, establishing himself as a deep‑lying sentinel capable of playing every midfield role. Lens plans to assign him the number 8 shirt under its red‑and‑white banner.

Lens chase European impact by swapping Sangaré for Algerian Titraoui

Jean‑Louis Leca, RC Lens’ sporting director, praised the signing: “He has a high‑level technical package and was among the best midfielders in the Belgian championship these two seasons. He will bring his ability to play under pressure and constantly forward. Humanly, he is a simple, hard‑working boy whose personal qualities are praised by everyone who knows him. At 23, Yacine embodies the future of the Algerian national team and now of Racing!”

Internationally, Titraoui has been capped by Algeria since 2021, debuting at the 2021 Arab Cup with Algeria A’. He was part of the 26‑man squad at the 2026 World Cup but did not feature, and he returned to the national set‑up in November 2025 and March 2026 for matches against Zimbabwe, Guatemala and Uruguay.

Supporters and journalists have already nicknamed him the “Verratti algérien”, a moniker reinforced by a Simpson‑style video used in his Lens presentation.

The announcement, posted on LensAujourd'hui at 21:38, confirmed the €8 million fee, underscoring the club’s continued investment in Belgian league talent after the €48 million exit of Sangaré to Brentford.