Lyon pushes out Fofana, Tagliafico and Diawara to shore up finances

Forced to clean up its finances after missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification, Olympique Lyonnais is multiplying departures in this final stretch of the summer transfer window. Three players are on their way out, including Belgian winger Malick Fofana, Argentine left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and midfielder Mahamadou Diawara.

Fofana, 21, is the most lucrative deal. Lyon hopes to get at least €50 million from his sale. AS Roma and RB Leipzig are showing the most interest in the winger, who established himself as one of Ligue 1’s breakout stars last season. A sale is expected by the Lyon board in the coming hours.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Nicolas Tagliafico could follow suit. Juventus is in direct talks with the Argentine defender’s entourage, who has indicated openness to a departure. However, the Turin club is conditioning the completion of this transfer on the prior sale of Juan Cabal, its Colombian defender targeted by Atalanta Bergame.

The third departure is already done. Mahamadou Diawara, 21, will join Red Star on loan with a purchase option set at €1.5 million, according to L’Équipe. The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder never managed to establish himself at Lyon and is not part of coach Paulo Fonseca’s plans.

These moves are part of a cost-cutting strategy imposed by the club’s financial situation, which must reduce its wage bill after missing out on UEFA Champions League revenue.