With the explosion of its debt, OL finds itself in a delicate situation before the winter transfer window. If the Rhone leaders risk having to part ways with Malick Fofana or Rayan Cherki, they will initially seek to downsize the squad by getting rid of players little used by Pierre Sage. Here are our top 5 players who must be sold by OL and John Textor this winter.
Gift Orban
Estimated selling price: between 15 and 20 million euros
Last winter, OL paid 14 million euros to La Gantoise to secure the services of Gift Orban. Nearly a year after his arrival, the Nigerian striker is struggling to convince his leaders.
With 5 goals in 21 games since his arrival, Orban is struggling to get playing time this season. His often messy entries discouraged Pierre Sage from giving him more playing time. In addition, his recurring behavioral problems pushed the OL coach to remove him from the group on several occasions.
Already announced to leave this summer after the arrival of George Mikautadze, Gift Orban should leave Lyon this winter, especially since he has not played in Ligue 1 since September 22 and OL's defeat at home against at OM. Several Turkish clubs are said to be interested in the 22-year-old striker. In Ligue 1, Rennes and Lens would also be interested.
Said Benrahma
Estimated selling price: 15 million euros
Arriving for just over 20 million euros last winter from West Ham, Saïd Benrahma is also struggling to convince the leaders of OL. The Algerian international struggles to be consistent in his performances, which causes tensions within the club.
Capable of the best and the worst, Benrahma has alternated between good and bad since the start of the season. Relegated to the sidelines after the emergence of Malick Fofana and the return of Rayan Cherki to the forefront, a departure this winter seems inevitable given OL's financial situation. The player still has a good market value and his substantial salary (more than 400,000 euros per month) could give some breathing room to OL's finances. According to Romain Molina, the player has leads in Saudi Arabia.
Ernest Nuamah
Estimated selling price: 20 million euros
Bought for more than 28 million euros by Olympique Lyonnais from the Danish club Nordsjaelland, Ernest Nuamah has been only a shadow of himself since his arrival in the Rhône. Not very decisive (3 goals and 2 assists in 42 matches), the Ghanaian international seems very far from his best level which allowed him to be elected the best player in the Danish championship during the 2022/2023 season.
Less and less used by Pierre Sage, the 21-year-old winger seems to be gradually leaving the OL coach's rotation. Helmed by Malick Fofana and Rayan Cherki, Nuamah has only started 3 times this season.
After refusing to join Fulham during the last transfer window, Ernest Nuamah should this time leave the Rhône during the next transfer window.
Maxence Caqueret
Estimated selling price: between 10 and 15 million euros
Considered one of OL's best players last season, Maxence Caqueret is only a shadow of himself this season. His poor performances have cost OL several goals since the start of the season.
Demoted in the hierarchy of midfielders, the 24-year-old player should be pushed out by his managers, especially since he still has a good reputation in Europe. This summer, Bayer Leverkusen notably came to take the temperature for the French hopeful international.
With a salary estimated at 280,000 euros per month, a departure this winter would also allow Textor to save a large salary. For Pierre Sage, this would be an opportunity to give more playing time to the very promising Mahamadou Diawara.
Anthony Lopes
Estimated selling price: less than 3 million euros
An indisputable starter for more than a decade at OL, Anthony Lopes was demoted by the Rhone management who decided to focus on Lucas Perri.
The Portuguese goalkeeper was supposed to leave Lyon this winter, but he found no exit that suited him. OL should do everything to get rid of him this winter, even if he only has six months left on his contract. Indeed, Lopes receives more than 4.20 million euros annually, making him one of the highest salaries in the squad. An XXL salary for a player who is only the fourth goalkeeper in the hierarchy this season.
Passionate about sport since my childhood, I was lulled by the exploits of Juninho. A big fan of Olympique Lyonnais and Peter Sagan, I live to the rhythm of sporting events. Graduated with a degree in political science, I returned to my first passion by taking charge of the editorial staff of We Sport in July 2022, then more recently that of DailyMercato. Recently, I decided to leave the gray of Pas-de-Calais for the sun of Andalusia.
