Winners of the Copa Libertadores with Botafogo, Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique were to continue their careers at Olympique Lyonnais. At least that was the deal discussed with Eagle Football boss John Textor. But the two South Americans are no longer so sure of wanting to land with Les Gones.
For Olympique Lyonnais, Botafogo's coronation in the Copa Libertadores represents good news on a sporting and financial level. The money collected by John Textor's holding company will also replenish the coffers of the Rhone club. And the players likely to leave Brazil for Lyon will arrive with a smile and full of confidence. In addition to central defender Adryelson and winger Jeffinho, only loaned by the Ligue 1 team to Botafogo, Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique were to make the same trip this winter.
The Argentine midfielder and the winger who played for Betis Sevilla had joined the Eagle Football galaxy with Olympique Lyonnais as their final destination. At least that was the deal discussed with boss John Textor. But according to the newspaper L'Equipe, their future is no longer so certain. After the final won against Atlético Mineiro (3-1) on Saturday, Thiago Almada was content with an evasive answer about his future. The Argentinian international prefers “ focus on the last two matches to win the title » in the championship. This is not really the statement of a player enthusiastic about signing for Olympique Lyonnais.
Textor gives them the choice
We can think that his teammate Luiz Henrique is also in no hurry to land in France since John Textor gives him the choice. “ At Eagle, players make their decisionsreacted the American. It’s obvious that big European clubs want him. But he may wake up tomorrow and realize that Botafogo is a special place. The decision is his. » To the extent that Olympique Lyonnais must sell and downsize, a refusal from the two South Americans would not necessarily be experienced as a hard blow.
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