RC Lens have reached an agreement with Gift Links over personal terms, yet the French club still face significant hurdles in securing the South African defender’s signature from Aarhus Gymnastikforening.
According to Foot Mercato, the interest in the move is mutual, with the 27-year-old informing his Danish employers of his desire to join the Ligue 1 side. Lens are reportedly pushing hard to complete the signing of the left wing-back. However, Aarhus remain reluctant to sanction the transfer as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League preliminaries.
Lens rebuild left flank
The Sang et Or are actively hunting for reinforcements on the left side of their defence following significant departures. Deiver Machado was sold during the January transfer window, whilst Arthur Masuaku has returned to parent club Sunderland after his loan spell concluded.
Links, who has earned five caps for South Africa between 2018 and 2021, operates primarily as a left wing-back. His profile matches Lens’s tactical requirements as they seek to fill the void left by recent departures ahead of the new campaign.
European ambitions block deal
The Danish Superliga club’s determination to compete in the Champions League qualifying rounds presents the primary obstacle to the transfer. Aarhus are particularly keen to retain the defender’s services during their upcoming continental campaign, having already rejected a recent offer from the French side.
The situation leaves the deal in a state of impasse. Whilst the individual terms between player and prospective club are settled, Lens and Aarhus have not yet reached an agreement over the transfer structure.
The South African international finds himself caught between his current club’s continental ambitions and the opportunity to compete in French football. With Aarhus prioritising their European campaign, Lens may need to return with an improved proposal or wait until after the preliminary rounds to secure their target.