Olympique Lyonnais is currently in the summer recruitment phase, with active discussions on the young right side Saël Kumbedi. The German club VfL Wolfsburg reportedly made an offer of 9 million euros (7 million euros plus 2 million bonuses), and negotiations are under way for the terms of the transfer. Kumbedi, 20 years old, struggled to win the title in Lyon despite the different coaches he had met in three seasons. He would be the replacement for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while Teo Baress is trying to save playing time in this position. OL could benefit from this sale to strengthen its finances, even if Kumbedi does not have a high salary. Other clubs such as OGC Nice and Lille also expressed their interest, Lille having even offered 5 million euros, an offer that was refused by Lyon.

At the same time, Corentin Tolisso, captain of OL, is motivated by the challenge of getting a place in the French team for the 2026 World Cup. He insists on the need to perform on the ground to get this opportunity. He stressed that his priority was to contribute to the victory of his team and that things would then be done logically. With potential movements in the midfield of the French team, following disciplinary situations in other players, Tolisso hopes to seize his chance. However, it remains to be seen whether the selectioner Didier Deschamps will overcome his reluctance to include a player in a club other than OL.

OL tackles the first day of the season with excellent morale, but must face Marseille, a team that won both direct confrontations last season, including one in particularly difficult conditions. Malick Fofana, the Lyon winger, is a key player who could leave the club to raise funds. Tolisso and Moussa Naïkaté, who even proposed an unusual solution to convince him to stay, did not perceive his departure. Fofana, 20 years old, is followed by several European clubs and represents an important market value. Discussions with Wolfsburg are continuing, and OL has already rejected a €5 million offer from Lille for the same player.