Olympique Lyonnais, a prominent French Ligue 1 club, has taken the drastic step of putting most of its squad on the transfer market. This move is driven by the club’s urgent need to meet its financial sales target before the transfer window closes, as reported by French newspaper L’Equipe.
According to L’Equipe, the Lyon management has communicated that almost all players are available for transfer, as long as a suitable price is offered. The club aims to generate €100 million ($111 million) through player sales. While a spokesperson for Olympique Lyonnais declined to comment on market rumors, L’Equipe reports that the club still requires €75 million to reach their target.
The club’s aggressive spending in the past two months, exceeding €134 million, has put them under financial pressure. Their record €34 million acquisition of defender Moussa Niakhate from Nottingham Forest in July highlights their investment spree.
The seven-time Ligue 1 champions recently announced the transfer of French defender Mamadou Sarr to Racing Club de Strasbourg for €10 million.
Last month, Lyon assured Ligue 1’s financial authority that they would achieve €100 million in player sales this summer. This commitment was crucial to avoid further restrictions from the league’s financial watchdog.
Lyon, owned by Eagle Football Group, a Paris-listed investment holding company, has been actively involved in acquisitions and re-financing. The group also holds stakes in Brazilian club Botafogo, Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, and English club Crystal Palace. John Textor, the American businessman controlling the group, has expressed interest in selling his stake in Crystal Palace to acquire Everton.
The club’s drastic measure of placing most of its squad on the market reflects the financial pressures faced by many football clubs in today’s competitive landscape. It remains to be seen how successful Lyon will be in achieving its financial goals through player sales before the transfer window closes.
