What is Moussa Niakhaté really worth?

Slowly but surely. That’s how we could sum up OL’s transfer window so far. Coming out of a season that was both trying and breathtaking in its scenario and outcome, the Gones needed a breather. A welcome vacation that allowed all the heroes of the last vintage to make certain decisions. Recalled to the French team to participate in the Olympics with Thierry Henry’s team, Alexandre Lacazette, for example, refused a golden bridge from Saudi Arabia to stay with his favorite club next year. Good news for Lyon, who will also rely on the architect of their incredible comeback last year with a newly graduated Pierre Sage.

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Thus retaining its backbone, even if several departures of captains are in the air (Cherki, Caqueret, O’Brien), OL have been able to move forward quietly in their transfer window. Releasing Henrique a few days before the end of his contract, the Rhone leaders had advanced their pawns for several months by securing the services of Abner from Betis. Still on the expensive track of the Yankuba Minteh nugget, the Lyonnais were also keen to strengthen their defense, which was still too crumbly last season. Passing the DNCG without incident, OL decided to go all out on Moussa Niakhaté and the operation is on track to be completed as quickly as possible.

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Moussa Niakhaté only played one season in Ligue 1

Indeed, as we revealed exclusively this Thursday, Lyon has reached a quick agreement with Nottingham Forest to secure the services of the defender. In a need to liquidate its best assets and sell to avoid sanctions from the English Financial Fair Play, an agreement was reached with the club from across the Channel for around 15 million euros, according to our information. An amount far from crazy for a 28-year-old player, valued at 16 million euros on the specialized site Transfermarkt and who had one year left on his contract with the Tricky Trees. With this shiny transfer, Niakhaté will also have the opportunity to return to Ligue 1 through the front door.

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Indeed, having passed through the LOSC training center from the age of 8 to 15, the native of Roubaix finally exploded with neighbor Valenciennes in Ligue 2. Playing nine matches for his first season at 18, he won in the central hinge from the following season and established himself as one of the best defenders in the elite antechamber between 2015 and 2017. Transferred to Metz during that same summer, he discovered Ligue 1 in the shoes of a holder. And even if the Garnets are having a complicated season, which ends in last place, Moussa Niakhaté is establishing himself as one of the greatest French hopes in his position. With this new status, he was recruited for 10 million euros by Mainz and discovered the Bundesliga. A gamble that paid off.

Quickly captain at Mainz, injuries cut short his time at Forest

On the other side of the Rhine, the former LOSC player is gaining maturity. Discovering another football, much more unrestrained offensively, the one who was then called up to the French junior team worked on his ranges and rubbed shoulders with great attackers. The rock quickly becomes unshakable and asserts itself as one of the leaders of the German team. Exuding a rather disconcerting serenity both on the field and in the locker room, he even became captain of the Rhine club in his third season. An incredible responsibility which testifies to the defensive and vocal leadership qualities of the player who was still young at the time. Especially since Mainz was recognized for being one of the best defenses in Germany during his stay. Interviewed in April 2022 by RMC, the 1m90 rock explained how he managed to climb the ranks so quickly with the Nullfünfer:

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«if it means anything to be the youngest captain in the Bundesliga? To be the youngest, no. But it means something to be a captain on the other hand. It proves to me that the club has confidence in me, in my personality and that I give 100%. I think being captain comes from my upbringing. I’ve always wanted to do the right things… not follow others… That’s probably what I’m most proud of. I have always thought for myself. Sometimes I go against the grain and that’s okay. I think it helps me as a captain when we have to discuss important subjects. I arrived in Mainz at the age of 22… I was often told that there was a need for time to adapt. But not for me. My will surpasses everything. In Metz, I started as 4th central defender, I ended up in the team, because I told myself that in my head it wasn’t going to happen like that. Arriving in Mainz, it was the same thing. I immediately wanted to be an important player, talking to my teammates, even without speaking German. The next year, at 23, I was vice-captain.»

And after four high-flying seasons in Germany, the Roubaix player was inevitably tempted by the idea of ​​taking on another challenge. This challenge was in England with the promoted Nottingham Forest. Starting the 2022-2023 season as a starter with the historic club across the Channel, fate ultimately played against him with a troublesome hamstring injury. A physical glitch that forced him to be away from the field for seven long months. An interminable wait for a player highly regarded by his management and who needed to acclimatize to a whole new championship. Finishing the season as a starter, he begins the one that has just passed with the same status. But there you have it, after several elbow and shoulder problems, an AFCON with Senegal, Nottingham’s number 19 is not considered immovable in Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans during the last months of competition.

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Unbreakable with Senegal, he can bring OL

Author of 37 appearances with Forest, his time there will not have left a big mark on the residents of the City Ground. Thus, OL will nevertheless recover a vengeful player, determined to relaunch his career in a suitable manner. The Gones will also strengthen themselves by attracting a key player from Aliou Cissé with Senegal. Opting for the Lions of Teranga in 2022 after long discussions with Sadio Mané, as he himself confided, the Northerner is coming off a year 2024 where he confirmed his status as a starter acquired in the summer of 2023. Author of very good performances with the 2021 African champion, he was notably a starter during the 2023 CAN where he only played two matches due to a slight injury.

Described as a robust defender in duels and very intelligent in his reading of interventions, Niakhaté therefore has a lot of qualities to highlight. Eager to join the capital of Gaul after its exchanges with Orel Mangala, Lyon can boast of recovering a player who seems determined to shine in the Rhône. Left-handed, a profile that is lacking in the Lyon rearguard, he seems to be set to be a starter in Pierre Sage’s system and if he manages to be spared from injuries, there is no doubt that OL have achieved a very nice move despite a price that could make people talk at first glance.