It will be a long January transfer window for Olympique Lyonnais. On Friday, the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, provisionally relegated Lyon to Ligue 2, whilst also banning the club from recruiting in January. It means that, in order to preserve their top-flight status, players will have to move on this winter. 

There will be departures this summer with high-earners Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Lopes, and Nicolas Tagliafico all set to depart, whilst other high-earners such as Nemanja Matic and Corentin Tolisso will not be retained should offers arrive at OL’s doorsteps. 

However, sales are needed in January too. Some of the club’s most enticing prospects will therefore be hot property, none more so than Malick Fofana (19). The forward recently earned his first cap for the Belgium national team and he has started the season in top form, netting five goals and registering two assists in 15 appearances in all competitions. 

Foot Mercato understands that, in the wake of the news of Lyon’s provisional relegation, clubs were already “rubbing their hands” at the idea of signing Fofana. OL, given their situation, may find it difficult to refuse their advances, despite a desire to keep the Belgian. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle