Lens beat Lazio to the punch
RC Lens have landed a tidy one. Franjo Ivanovic has chosen the Blood and Gold. The Croatia striker, who belongs to Benfica, has turned down Lazio despite the Italians looking well placed. The Rome club already had a deal with Lisbon. All that was left was the player’s approval. It never came.
Talks between Ivanovic and Lazio stalled. Lens moved in. According to the Italian press, backed up by Foot Mercato, the player has given Racing the green light.
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The Champions League made the difference
The reason is simple enough. Ivanovic wants European football. Lens will be in next season’s Champions League after finishing second in Ligue 1 last term. That trump card swung it against the Rome side.
The profile appeals too. At 22, the Croatia international already has nine caps. His first season at Benfica brought eight goals and one assist in 42 matches. Blocked by Vangelis Pavlidis in Lisbon, he wanted more minutes. Lens can offer them.
A busy attacking rebuild
Ivanovic would add extra weight to an attack already reshaped. Lens have brought in Michał Cuisance, Thorgan Hazard, Malik Nawrocki and Yacine Titraoui, among others, this summer. What they were missing was a proper No 9. They are close to getting one. All that is left is to complete the loan with Benfica.
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