Lyon handed provisional relegation and transfer ban

Cameron Smith

Updated: 15 Nov 2024 16:31 CST
3 min read

Olympique Lyonnais have been told they will be relegated to Ligue 2 if their financial situation doesn’t improve drastically before the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

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The French giants spent a whopping €147.8 million on new signings during the summer transfer window and they have been handed a provisional relegation and transfer ban by the National Management Control Department.

Lyon’s debt stands at over €500m, as per reports, and they are at risk of being relegated to Ligue 2 next season.

American businessman John Textor, who was close to buying Everton this summer, is the owner of Lyon and he has reportedly stated that Lyon will be able to balance the books before the end of the campaign.

Lyon also own Brazilian outfit Botafogo, while they hold a 45% share in Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Lyon are currently fifth in Ligue 1, but they could be relegated into the second tier of French football for the first time since 1989. In addition, they are set to receive a transfer ban if their financial situation doesn’t improve dramatically.

© IMAGO - Lyon could be forced to sell Rayan Cherki

Which players could Lyon sell in January?

With Lyon needing to raise funds before the end of the current season, they may be forced to sell some of their prized assets during the January transfer window.

Rayan Cherki, Ernest Nuameh, Maxence Caqueret and Malick Fofana have all been linked with Premier League clubs over the past few years, while Gift Orban and Georges Mikautadze are both highly-rated forwards.

Cherki will likely be linked with a host of top European clubs in January following news that Lyon will need to balance the books during the winter window.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both previously pursued the France U21 international, but they were unable to finalise an agreement with Lyon, while Fulham pushed to sign him this summer.

Read more about: Ligue 1, Lyon, Rayan Cherki