Lens cuts Fulgini ties, a major wage‑bill relief

RC Lens officially terminated Alessandro Fulgini's contract on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The club announced the move in a statement, saying it was intended to trim the wage bill after a season of soaring expenses.

Why did the club decide to end the deal?

Sporting director Frédéric Bompard said releasing Fulgini frees roughly €3.2 million of annual salaries. “We need to stay financially competitive while keeping our sporting ambitions,” he explained. The Italian forward, who arrived in 2024 for €12 million, never cemented a place in Franck Haise's line‑up, which favours a faster style of play.

What does the departure mean for Lens' squad?

Fulgini’s exit leaves the club with 24 players under contract, including several promising youngsters. The contract termination also opens a slot for a new striker better suited to the current system. Lens remains 2nd in Ligue 1 with 70 points, 22 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses from 34 games, posting a recent form of WLWDD.

What challenges lie ahead for the club?

Lens now has to cope with the injury‑related absence of Nidal Čelik while continuing its chase of the title, six points behind leaders Paris Saint‑Germain. The latest result, a 3‑1 win over Nice on 22 May 2026, shows the side still has momentum. Management hopes the wage‑bill reduction will free funds for key signings before the next transfer window.

Current club context

In Ligue 1, Lens sits second with 70 points, 22 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses after 34 matches, and a recent run of four straight victories. The team has scored 66 goals while conceding 35, a +31 goal difference. They remain six points off Paris Saint‑Germain at the top of the table.