RC Lens are pressing ahead with their pursuit of Gift Links, even after AGF Aarhus knocked back their opening offer for the South Africa international.
According to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, the Ligue 1 side are believed to have offered in the region of €3 million plus add-ons for the 27-year-old left wing-back. Reports suggest the Danish champions rejected the bid outright, viewing Links as not for sale and a key player in their sporting project next season.
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That firm stance hasn’t discouraged the Sang et Or, who have now qualified for next season’s Champions League and are looking to strengthen their left-back/wing-back options. Lens are searching for more competition in that position as they prepare for a tougher European campaign, and Links has emerged as their primary target.
Crucially for Lens, there’s a glimmer of hope: Links himself is reportedly open to a move abroad and would welcome a new challenge away from Denmark after seven years in the country, a detail that could yet help break the deadlock in negotiations.
The Bafana Bafana international has been in fine form this season, contributing three goals and five assists in 22 league appearances, and has racked up more than 170 appearances for Aarhus with 23 goals and 17 assists across all competitions since joining the club.
He also signed a contract extension last year keeping him at the club until 2029 where he reaffirmed his loyalty and commitment to the club for the title challenge when interest had already been brewing in his services and could have potentially left in July 2026 as a free agent.
Discussions between the two parties are continuing despite the rejected offer, and Lens have not abandoned their interest in the player.
With AGF freshly crowned Superliga champions and unwilling to lose a first-choice starter, Lens may have to dig deeper into their pockets if they want to land their man before the window heats up further and potentially before the start of pre-season.
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO).
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