Olympique Lyonnais is at a crossroads, navigating between opportunities to strengthen its workforce and financial challenges. The club is actively courted by several teams, including Manchester United for Corentin Tolisso, and Botafogo for Danilo, players who could join ambitious projects in England or Brazil. At the same time, OL must manage their payroll and adapt to the financial constraints imposed by the DNCG, while seeking to maintain a competitive workforce. The management of these files is crucial for the future of the club, especially after the retention in League 1 and the need to respect UEFA’s capital requirements.
OL Academy, once a source of many talents, is undergoing a period of transition. Players such as Farรจs Bahlouli, whose career has been hampered by contract problems and injuries, are seeking to recover. The club must strike a balance between the development of young talent and the guarantee of short-term performance. The team’s offensive effectiveness, with 65 goals scored in Ligue 1 last season, is a valuable asset, but defence remains a priority to be improved. Managing these young talents and integrating them into the professional team is a constant challenge.
The 2024-2025 season was marked by an encouraging offensive performance, but also by defensive difficulties. OL has shown their ability to score, especially in the Europa League, but must strengthen its defensive strength to achieve its objectives. The potential arrivals of Danilo and Matt Turner, originally envisaged, are now uncertain due to the financial constraints of the club. OL’s future will depend on its ability to manage these challenges, adapt to new regulations and exploit the potential of its young players, while maintaining a competitive workforce.