Olympique Lyonnais has actively investigated the arrival of a right winger to strengthen its professional workforce in recent weeks. Although few names were publicly disclosed, Rodolfo Aloko, an 18-year-old talent from the NK Kustosija Zagreb (Croatian Second Division), was one of the top targets. Lyon’s leaders had taken discreet steps to take over the player, but according to the latest news from Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Aloko preferred a transfer to the United States, joining the Charlotte FC where Wilfried Zaha is operating.

This transfer, estimated at over 5 million euros, represents a missed opportunity for OL, which was also competing with clubs like Brighton. Other European teams, including Ajax Amsterdam, Eintracht Frankfurt and Benfica Lisbon, had also shown interest in the young player. This choice, considered surprising, would have allowed Rodolfo Aloko to start more quickly in a high-level championship.

OL had actively explored various tracks to identify low-cost players during the summer mercato, and the recruit of Rodolfo Aloko, an offensive midfielder of NK Kustosija Zagreb, was part of this strategy. Despite the efforts of the Lyonnais, the player finally opted for a career in America, signing with the Charlotte FC for a sum of 6 million euros, leaving OL disappointed that they could not capture this young potential.