Thanks to a deal of which John Textor has the secret, Olympique Lyonnais is preparing to pocket more than 30 million euros.
The OL transfer market is more prolific than expected. In search of fresh cash to meet the expectations of the DNCG, which harshly sanctioned OL this season, Lyon has already pocketed nearly 30 million euros this winter with the sales of Maxence Caqueret (Como), Gift Orban (Hoffenheim ) and Jeffinho (Botafogo). In January, Lyon also lowered its payroll with the departure of Anthony Lopes to Nantes. And while John Textor was still looking for several tens of millions of euros in this transfer window to finish replenishing the coffers, a check falling from the sky will probably save OL.
Luiz Henrique de Botafogo at the Zénith for 33 ME
Indeed, according to L'Equipe, thanks to the transfer of Luiz Henrique from… Botafogo to Zénith Saint-Petersburg, Lyon will pocket 33 million euros. Best player in South America after winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian championship, the 24-year-old striker will sign a four and a half year contract with the Russian club, not allowed to play in European cups due to the war in Ukraine. If the latter pays the money to Botafogo, the check will end up in OL's accounts. “The amount collected should return in full to OL, which needs to rebuild its cash flow to escape the constraints of the DNCG and which holds the sporting rights of Luiz Henrique”specifies the French sports daily.
-OL no longer obliged to sell Nuamah
This indirect sale of this important element of the Seleçao will therefore have a big impact on the finances of OL, but also at the sporting level. Since with this check falling from the sky, Lyon is no longer obliged to sell Ernest Nuamah. Announced by Everton this week, the Ghanaian striker did not receive a concrete offer this winter, and he could therefore stay in Lyon for the second part of the season. Good news for Pierre Sage, who will therefore be able to keep one more offensive element in his squad, while his club would have been unable to replace him due to a recruitment ban.
