Brentford have agreed a £41million deal to sign Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare as a replacement for Jordan Henderson, whose contract at the club has been terminated.
The 24-year-old Mali international is preparing to travel to the UK for a medical after a meeting with club officials in Paris. The deal includes a sell-on clause, with Sangare's former club Rapid Vienna also due a percentage of the fee.
The transfer falls just short of Brentford's club record, which stands at the £42million they paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara last summer.
Brentford had long-held interest in Sangare but faced competition from two other English clubs, including Crystal Palace, before securing the deal.
Henderson, 36, has now left Brentford a year after joining. Since departing Liverpool in 2023 he has also played for Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and Ajax. Talks between Henderson and Chelsea are advancing, with the former Liverpool captain set to add experience to Xabi Alonso's squad.
