Brentford FC have reached a €48m agreement to sign Lens defensive midfielder Mamadou Sangaré (24), according to Foot Mercato. On Tuesday, L’Equipe broke the news that the Malian international was very close to sign for Keith Andrews’ Bees for a similar amount. Sangaré only joined Lens a year ago from Rapid Wien in a €8m deal, but he has been instrumental in leading Les Sang et Or to the UEFA Champions League group stage and to their maiden Coupe de France title.

For weeks, Lens discreetly held talks with Brentford, who are set to part ways with Chelsea-bound England international midfielder Jordan Henderson, over Sangaré’s transfer to the Bees. Foot Mercato reports that few details still need ironing out between Brentford and Lens, but both clubs eventually reached an agreement in principle last night. With his transfer entering his final steps, Sangaré sat out Lens’ friendly Como Cup games.

It would be a club-record deal for both parties, eclipsing Brentford’s €42m signing of Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara and Lens’ €40m sale of Loïs Openda to Leipzig three years ago.