Manchester City are pursuing Lens centre-back Samson Baidoo. A report suggests that Manchester City and Liverpool are the leading contenders to sign him. The 21-year-old Austria U21 international has also attracted interest from other clubs in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A, with West Ham, Crystal Palace, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan all monitoring the player. It is reported that City's plan is to purchase Baidoo this summer and then loan him back to the French club for another season to continue his development. Lens are understood to be open to a sale if they receive an offer between €45-55m (up to £48m / $64m). A transfer in that price range would set a new record for Lens, exceeding the €40m fee RB Leipzig paid for Lois Openda in July 2023. Baidoo joined Lens from Red Bull Salzburg in July 2025 for a reported €8 million. He has made 18 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist, and his current contract runs until June 2030.