Georges Mikautadze’s season at Olympique Lyonnais ends on an emotional note. The Georgian striker, after having been a pillar of the team, took leave of his teammates at the Groupama OL Training Center, visibly moved by this transition. His imminent departure to Villarreal, where he should sign a five-year contract for an allowance of approximately 30 million euros for OL, marks the end of a significant period in his career and for the club. Images of his farewell to the supporters testify to the affection he aroused.

The departure of Mikautadze precipitated the search for a replacement weight by Olympique Lyonnais. The club is currently turning to Martin Satriano, from RC Lens, to fill the void left by the Georgian striker. Negotiations are advanced and a loan is envisaged, a necessity given the urgency of the situation and the imminence of a crucial match against the Olympique de Marseille. This search for offensive reinforcement is part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the Lyon attack, despite continuing economic difficulties.

Along with the Satriano track, OL also explored other options, including AJ Auxerre’s Lassine Sinayoko, but negotiations proved to be complex due to the price charged by the club. Another promising track, Mehdi Taremi from Inter Milan, seems to be moving away, the attacker being about to engage with the Olympique de Marseille. These developments underline the difficulty of the task for OL, which must find an offensive solution before the end of the mercato, while facing the loss of a key player and financial constraints.