Nottingham Forest central defender and Senegalese international, Moussa Niakhaté (28), arrived in Lyon on Thursday evening to sign a four-year contract. Pierre Sage needed a left-hander for his hinge. He is served.
After having recruited Orel Mangala at a high price (11.7 million euros of loan payment + 17.5 million euros of purchase option), John Textor continues his shopping at Nottingham Forest. The American boss of Ol has in fact completed, with his counterpart Evangelico Marinakis, the transfer of Moussa Niakhaté, 28-year-old central defender.
The Senegalese international (10 caps) still had two years of contract in England, since his club had decided this summer to exercise a one-year extension option for which he had fulfilled all the conditions.
He is a solid player in duels (1.90 m) and left-handed, as requested by Pierre Sage. On the other hand, he does not have the profile of a raiser, even if he is rather comfortable in the short game.
The priority for this position has long been Nayef Aguerd, but West Ham asked for 45 million euros for their Moroccan international and Lyon did not go up to this sum. Desired by John Textor, the Niakhaté track, revealed this Thursday by The Telegraph and Foot Mercato, had nevertheless been validated by the Lyon technical decision-makers, David Friio and Matthieu Louis-Jean.
And to snatch him from a Nottingham Forest team who bought him from Mainz for 10 million euros in the summer of 2022, Lyon will pay a fortune. Indeed, according to L’Equipe, Pierre Sage’s team will disburse… nearly 31 million euros and have Moussa Niakhaté sign a four-year contract.
For a player valued at €16 million on the Transfermarkt website, this is a very nice check for Nottingham Forest, who must even sell to avoid new sanctions from the English Football League. Sportingly, it still looks like a good deal for Lyon, who are strengthening their team with a player with great potential.
Remember that the Lyonnais, who will play in the Europa League next season, are ahead of Lille and Crystal Palace in this matter.
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