Olympique Lyonnais observed Noah Nartey 14 times before signing him

Olympique Lyonnais signed midfielder Noah Nartey from Brøndby in January 2026 for 7.5 million euros, excluding bonuses, after the club observed the player 14 times. The detailed recruitment process was highlighted by Edward Jay on the RMC podcast After Lyon, and Nartey had previously disclosed the number of supervisions via the official OL website.

The acquisition was part of a broader scouting strategy in Scandinavia. According to Jay, the club utilizes a scout to analyze matches across the region, and once a specific player is identified, the club travels to observe them in person. Financial considerations also guide these searches, with Jay noting that the financial aspect is one of the primary factors directing the work of the Lyon recruitment team.

Nartey Struggles to Break into Starting Lineup

Since joining, Nartey has appeared in 21 matches across all competitions, scoring four goals—an average of one every 258 minutes.

Nartey’s playing time has been limited recently, including only two minutes in a Champions League preliminary return match against Prague and 43 minutes across the last four Ligue 1 fixtures. While teammate Rémy Descamps praised Nartey’s “finesse,” the midfielder has yet to break into the starting lineup.

Philippe Violeau, a three-time French champion from 2002 to 2004, said that having Nartey in the squad “is a good thing.” Nartey is viewed as a major prospect in his home country.

The midfielder will play for the Denmark U-21 team against Austria this Friday at 6 p.m., following a call-up to the senior national team in March 2026 where he did not enter the game.