Olympique Lyonnais (OL) recently garnered media attention for their initial interest in Nayef Aguerd, the Moroccan international currently playing for West Ham in the Premier League.
Aguerd, aged 28, was seen as a preferred choice to bolster OL’s defense, given his experience in Ligue 1 with Dijon and Stade Rennais before moving to England.
However, negotiations quickly hit a major snag: West Ham’s asking price for the player was €45 million, a sum deemed too high by Lyon according to reports from L’Equipe. This demand forced OL to reconsider their options, despite their initial keen interest in the Moroccan player.
Ultimately, OL opted for an alternative by signing Moussa Niakhaté, a 28-year-old Senegalese international also known for his time at Nottingham Forest. Niakhaté was acquired for €31 million and is set to sign a four-year contract with the Rhône club. This transfer follows the arrival of Orel Mangala, who was also signed from the same English club for a significant fee.
For OL, this strategic choice underscores their commitment to strengthen their defense with experienced profiles suited to the Ligue 1 style, while managing their financial resources judiciously to meet the demands of the European transfer market. These moves reflect Lyon’s ongoing renewal and ambition heading into the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply