Lens going for Song

LENS have joined the race to sign Cameroon's World Cup captain Rigobert Song.

The powerful central defender is currently contracted to West Ham but spent the latter half of last season on loan at German side Cologne.

However, Song is unlikely to remain with Cologne following their relegation from Die Bundesliga while he also seems surplus to requirements at Upton Park.

German giants Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen have been mooted as possible summer destinations for Song, who skippered Cameroon in the Far East as they crashed out at the first hurdle.

Now, Championnat runners-up Lens have expressed an interest in providing Song with the chance to resurrect his club career which has stalled since he moved to England from Salernitana in January 1999.

The 25-year-old initially joined Liverpool but failed to establish himself at Anfield and it has been a similar story at West Ham.

Lens are looking for a fresh face to bolster their rearguard, and despite his relative youth, Song possesses a wealth of top-level experience.

With Valerien Ismael and Jean-Guy Wallemme leaving, Lens have targeted Song with the centre half's agent revealing their interest.

"Lens is a serious possibility but it is not the only one," said Pape Diouf.