100 million to escape relegation

The Olympique Lyonnais is positioned in fifth place in the Ligue 1but faces increased risk of downgrade. In fact, the financial debts of the French club are considered too significant by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG)which required its descent to Ligue 2.

According to the Catalan daily SportOL accumulates a debt of more than 500 million euros. To turn their books around, the club will need to raise more than 100 million by the end of the season, and the quickest way to do this is to sell valuable players during the January transfer window. The winter period therefore promises to be difficult for the company chaired by John Textor.

The Lione must avoid the fate of Bordeauxone of the most successful clubs in France, which was demoted to the fourth division because of a financial disaster which he was unable to remedy in time.

Fortunately, the club has a range of young talents likely to bring in substantial sums thanks to their sale. However, OL has limited negotiating power, given that everyone is aware of its precarious economic situation.

The club's finances have deteriorated over the years, despite the fact that OL have been a real showcase for young talents, exported across Europe for very significant prices. The recent case of Bradley Barcolawhich has become the emblem of the new project of Paris Saint-Germain after the Messi-Neymar-Mbappé era for a sum of 45 million eurosis an example. Barcola is just the latest in a long list of athletes sold: Lukeba Castle (30 million to RB Leipzig), Malo want (30 million to Chelsea), Lucas Paquetá (43 million to West Ham), Joachim Andersen (17,5 millions vers Crystal Palace), Bruno Guimaraes (42 millions vers Newcastle), Tanguy Ndombelé (62 million to Tottenham) and Ferland Mendy (48 million to Real Madrid). The list is still long.

However, the financial situation requires Lione to make rapid and painful transfers. Recently, Gift Orban was sold to Hoffenheim for a sum of 9 millions euros, a year after his transfer from Gent, he who has promising potential (born in 2002) and who started this season with two goals in three matches.

In addition to the Nigerian striker, the Lione has already let go for free Florent Sanchezsigned by Orléans last November, and the veteran Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopeswho spent 24 years at the club before joining Nantes in January.

A possible exit could come from Botafogoanother club under the ownership of Textor, which also owns Eagle Football Holdings with the RWD Molenbeek Belgian, the Crystal Palace and the FC Florida in the United States. However, given the Premier League's strict regulations regarding timeshare, and the lower stature of Molenbeek and FC Florida, Brazilian clubs could be an attractive avenue for some players.

An example is the sale of Jeffinho in Botafogo for 5.3 million euros. The player, on loan to Botafogo since January 2024, signed a four-year contract until the end of 2028. After a successful season in 2022 at Botafogo, he was transferred to OL for 10 million in January 2023, before returning on loan to Brazil where he excelled, contributing to his team's success in the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirao. Its final sale to Brazil for around 5.3 million euros is part of Lione's financial strategy.

However, the 100 million euros needed to avoid turbulence will not come only from Botafogo and second-tier players. As a result, the list of players to be transferred is growing, some of them could attract the attention of Italian clubs. Here are some of the athletes likely to leave Lione during the month of January:

• Malick Breathe (19 ans)
• Ernest Nuamah (21 ans)
• Georges Mikautadze (24 ans)
• It blows Caleta-Car (28 ans)
• Moussa No matter what (28 ans)
• Abner (24 ans)
• Nicolas Tagliafico (32 ans)
• Maxence He would lie down (24 ans)
• Corentin Tolisso (30 ans)
• Jordan Veretout (31 ans)
• Said Benrahma (29 ans)
• Wilfried Zaha (32 ans)

However, the player that all clubs covet is undoubtedly Rayan Cherki (21 years old), who is capturing attention in France and Europe. The French winger could single-handedly bring in a substantial sum and play a key role in saving OL from demotion, offering new hope to supporters yearning for a return to basics.