According to the Team, the management of Olympique Lyonnais had committed itself to the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) to reduce the financial debt of the club from 160 million euros to 60 million euros. This ambition requires considerable effort, despite a significant reduction in the payroll following the departures of key players such as Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Tagliafico, Anthony Lopese and Rayan Cherki. A first list of players identified as priorities for the sale had been communicated to the DNCG, including elements deemed not indispensable such as Nemanja Matic, Duje Caleta-Car, Jordan Verevou, Paul Akou, Tanner Tessmann, Saël Kumbedi and Rémy Descamps. In addition, sales are considered inevitable, including those of Malick Fofana, Lucas Perri, Georges Mikautadze, Corentin Tolisso and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The situation of Thiago Almada is special, its free loan having ended on 30 June, and its future at the club remains uncertain, having missed the resumption of training.

With OL’s confirmation in Ligue 1, the management now turns to the mercato to strengthen the team. Matthieu Louis-Jeunet and his team have been interested in Afonso Moreira, a 20-year-old winger currently playing at Sporting Portugal. The young player distinguished himself with the reserve team of the Portuguese club, registering 7 goals in 21 matches, and was also an important member of the youth teams of the Portuguese selection, scoring 4 goals in 5 matches in the Euro U17 in 2022. After negotiations a few weeks ago, the transfer of Afonso Moreira is expected to take place in a five-season contract, after some administrative difficulties with the DNCG.

According to Record, Afonso Moreira is expected in Lyon to finalize his contract. Although still under contract with the Sporting until July 2028, the player did not participate in the professional team trainings, but was present with the reserve team. The amount of the transaction is expected to be EUR 2 million. This recruitment is part of a strategy to strengthen the Lyon workforce, aimed at filling the gaps left by the departures and improving the competitiveness of the club in Ligue 1.