Unfinished Business: Lyon’s Transfer Window Drama and Last-Minute Player Acquisition

Lyon supporters were waiting for a final recruit, the seventh in a decidedly lively winter transfer window between Rhône and Saône. In fact, everything was ready to formalize the signing of Saïd Benrahma, well present in the capital of Gaul. The player and his club, West Ham, had agreed with OL on the basis of a paying loan (5 million euros) with a purchase option set at 15 million euros, as advanced by The Team.

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OL deplores “a profound lack of respect”

Except that this loan ultimately collapsed because of the Hammers. According to the sports daily, the London managers forgot to enter the deal information into the TMS, FIFA’s transfer software. “While Olympique Lyonnais had entered all the administrative data on the dedicated FIFA platform (FIFA TMS), West Ham had never launched the slightest technical procedure on its part, despite repeated reminders from OL and continuous mutual telephone communication,” denounced Olympique Lyonnais in a press release.

“Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, demonstrating a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham towards the Institution and the player,” continued the current Ligue 1 play-off player, also indicating that he reserved “ the right to initiate all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the transaction subsequently, and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary.”

Mangala as the last reinforcement in the middle

A few hours before the gong, OL will have at least managed to finish strengthening their midfield. After Nemanja Matic, purchased from Rennes, it is Orel Mangala who has committed to the Rhône, as officially communicated Thursday evening. And the Rhone management took out the checkbook to fill their midfield a little more. “This paying loan of £10M (approximately €11.7M) is accompanied by a purchase option of £15M (approximately €17.5M) to which a maximum of £3M of bonus (around €3.5M) as well as a 10% profit-sharing on the added value of a possible future transfer”, it is indicated.

Lyon offers a player who will bring density to its midfield. Experience, too, with the one who has 12 caps with the Red Devils and who trained in Germany and revealed himself in Stuttgart. Mangala had established himself as an indisputable starter at Nottingham Forest, for whom he played 53 games in 18 months. After Malick Fofana, Pierre Sage therefore welcomes a new Belgian to his squad.

2024-02-01 21:30:00
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