Monde – Olympique Lyonnais (OL) have recently been the subject of media attention for their initial interest in Nayef Aguerd, the Moroccan international who plays for West Ham in the Premier League. Aguerd, 28, was a preferred choice to bolster OL’s defence, having previously played in Ligue 1 with Dijon and Stade Rennais before moving to England.
However, the negotiations quickly hit a major snag: West Ham’s asking price for the player was €45 million, a sum deemed too high by the Lyon club according to information reported by L’Equipe. This request forced OL to reconsider its options, despite an initial strong interest in the Moroccan player.
Finally, OL opted for an alternative by recruiting Moussa Niakhaté, a Senegalese international also aged 28. Niakhaté, from Nottingham Forest, was acquired for a fee of 31 million euros and is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Rhone club. This transfer comes after the arrival of Orel Mangala, recruited for a significant sum from the same English club.
For OL, this strategic choice marks a desire to strengthen its defense with experienced profiles adapted to the game of Ligue 1, while judiciously managing its financial resources to meet the demands of the European transfer market. These movements demonstrate the dynamic of renewal and ambition of the Lyon club for the coming season.
