The team of Paulo Fonseca, OL, is actively preparing for the recovery of the League 1 championship, with an intensive training course planned in Austria, in the heart of Tyrol. This internship, which will start on July 25, will include several friendly games to allow players to gain in intensity and prepare for the upcoming season. The schedule of friendly meetings is busy: a first match against the FCVB at the Groupama Stadium is scheduled this Saturday, followed by meetings against the Hamburg SV on 26 July and the RC Deportivo de La Coruña on 30 July. The team will also face Real Majoarque on July 30 during his Austrian stay, complemented by two other friendly matches in Germany. The highlight of this preparation will undoubtedly be the game against Bayern Munich, scheduled for 2 August at the Allianz Arena at 3:30 p.m.
The friendly match against Bayern Munich is an important opportunity for Paulo Fonseca to assess the evolution of his team after these four pre-games against lower-level teams. This meeting, announced by the Bavarian club, is expected with great enthusiasm by the Lyon fans. Beyond this prestigious poster, OL is also focusing on summer mercato, aware of the financial difficulties ahead. The situation of Malick Fofana, the Belgian winger courted by several Premier League clubs, including Bayern Munich and OM, is particularly monitored. It represents the highest market value of the Lyon workforce and its departure could bring a considerable amount to the club.
Malick Fofana’s sale to La Gantoise in January 2024 included a 20% clause on the added value of a possible future transfer, a clause that the Belgian club can now activate with the growing interest of European clubs. Although OL management wanted to retain Fofana for its sporting qualities, financial reality could prevail. OL could be tempted to sell their player to maximize their income and ensure the club’s sustainability. The situation of Malick Fofana therefore remains a hot topic, carefully followed both in Lyon and in Ghent, and could have a significant impact on summer mercato.