Lyon confident ahead of DNCG meeting and planning €50m January spend

Tuesday afternoon is the moment of truth for Olympique Lyonnais. It is perhaps the moment that will define their season and decide whether they ultimately remain in France’s top-flight. 

It is the moment that Lyon will meet with the DNCG, France’s football’s financial watchdog and when a decision as to whether the current sanctions on the club’s transfer dealings will be lifted, or extended. According to L’Équipe, Lyon are confident ahead of this meeting. They believe that they have done enough to convince the DNCG to lift the restrictions that hampered their summer transfer dealings. 

The restrictions not only meant that Lyon could not strengthen, it also condemned them to exiting the window weaker than they started it. Players such as Bradley Barcola and Castello Lukeba were sold. Their absences have certainly been felt this season. 

Owner John Textor will be present at the meeting and he will be accompanied by Thierry Sauvage, the CEO of the OL Group. The pair will be able to provide more considerable financial guarantees than they did during the summer, not just due to player sales, but also due to the sale of assets. 

The sale of the OL Reign franchise is in the final stages, according to L’Équipe. The American Women’s team is set to be sold to the owners of the Seattle Sounders for €53m, whilst the club’s debt has also since been renegotiated. As a result, Lyon head into the meeting with cautious optimism. Should the restrictions be lifted, Lyon would be ready to spend around €50m in January as they look to bring in at least four players to help them stave off relegation to Ligue 2.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle