FEATURE | Which five players could be sold in Lyon’s relegation fire sale? | OneFootball

On Friday, following a meeting with the DNCG, Olympique Lyonnais’ worst fears became a reality with confirmation that they had been sanctioned with a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 due to a worsening financial situation. Coupled with a transfer ban and salary restriction measures, a cloud of uncertainty has suddenly been cast over Les Gones.

The 7-time Ligue 1 champions have not been relegated. However, that will be an eventual outcome if their financial situation does not improve. With Eagle Football Group’s debts increasing to over €500m, John Textor will be forced to launch various funding and cost-saving measures to ensure Lyon will not be relegated to the French second tier. One of these measures will likely come through player sales in the January transfer window.

Here are five players who could be the most likely candidates for a sale as OL look to improve their financial situation:

1. Malick Fofana (19)

Fofana has been perhaps the biggest success story in a busy couple of transfer windows for Lyon as far as incoming recruits are concerned. The Belgian international attacker has shown real consistency in attack this season with goals and assists now added to his game. With 5 goals and 2 assists in 15 appearances, the 19-year-old has shown an ability to be a difference-maker in attack.

In addition to improving output in the final third, the tricky winger is a real problem for opposition defences. His dribbling and pace on the ball means he thrives on the counterattack and bursting in behind vulnerable back lines. At just 19, Fofana has an immense amount of development left to do in his professional career, but after an impressive start to the season, many top clubs will see a potential purchase opportunity with Lyon needing to raise funds.

2. Rayan Cherki (21)

The Lyon academy graduate is no stranger to transfer speculation, after a transfer window where he was constantly linked with a move away from the Groupama Stadium. Fulham and Borussia Dortmund were the clubs that were the most strongly linked with a move for the attacking midfielder, but no move materialised. Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have also been reported admirers of the 21-year-old.

Cherki still hasn’t quite lived up to the potential that many believe he is capable of at Lyon. Internally, the France U21 international is considered one of the greatest technical talents the Rhône club has ever produced. This season, the Frenchman appears to have returned to form after a transfer window where he was placed in the ‘loft’. A contract extension has followed and now back in the team, Cherki looks to be playing with confidence. Dazzling footwork and impressive skill are never far from the playmaker’s game.

If given confidence and patience by a coach at a club that believes in him, the French attacking midfielder could be a potential bargain at €25m.

3. Ernest Nuamah (21)

Another young attacker on the Lyon books who has been linked with a move away in the past is Ernest Nuamah. The Ghanaian international forward was one step away from a potential transfer to Fulham before the 21-year-old tearfully aborted a medical after being forced to entertain a move away from OL. With his club now in a grave financial situation, the former Nordsjælland attacker may be forced to face the prospect of a move once again.

Developing a reputation for speed, agility and attacking prowess in Denmark, Nuamah hasn’t quite found those heights at Lyon since he made the controversial move to the Groupama Stadium when the club were under financial restrictions in the summer of 2023. However, the forward has shown glimpses of his ability to turn a game on its head whilst donning the Les Gones strip.

With the versatility to play across the front line and untapped potential, Nuamah will be seen as an investment worth taking by clubs around Europe as a reduced price can likely be negotiated amid Lyon’s precarious financial position.

4. Moussa Niakhaté (28)

Signing from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window, many fans of the French game have been left perplexed by OL’s decision to break their record transfer fee to sign the French defender. Niakhaté has struggled to find consistency in his performances and has been at fault on more than one occasion for a goal conceded by the Ligue 1 club.

Back in his homeland, the centre-back is yet to find his feet and has come under some criticism. With a €31m price tag hanging over his head, the former Mainz defender has been error-prone and looked vulnerable in a Lyon backline which often lacks security.

In the need of raising finances to avoid relegation, OL could look to sell their record signing after just 6 months in a bid to recoup as much as possible of the €31m fee they paid Nottingham Forest to secure his services.

5. Gift Orban (22)

Another player who has struggled to find form after a couple of busy transfer windows at Lyon is Nigerian forward Gift Orban. Rising to prominence after an impressive goalscoring spell at Gent, the 22-year-old secured a move to OL as they looked to plan for life without club captain Alexandre Lacazette (33). However, with the former Arsenal forward still proving so valuable and prolific in front of goal, the Nigerian youth international has struggled for opportunities.

Orban’s prospects of leading the line at Lyon have further diminished following the signing of Georges Mikautadze (24) from Metz in the summer transfer window. The striker has even been left out of the OL squad on numerous occasions this season. Despite struggling to make an impression with Les Gones, the former Gent striker has still shown a knack of influencing games in front of goal. With Lyon needing goals against Strasbourg this season, Sage turned to the Nigerian who provided with a brace to win the match 4-3.

The opportunity for regular minutes at a club that allows him to develop would likely be a welcome prospect for the 22-year-old with his club looking to raise funds as quickly as possible to avoid relegation.

GFFN | Liam Wraith