The recruitment of Olympique Lyonnais has experienced twists and turns in recent weeks.
The club chaired by Jean-Michel Aulas recorded three recruits during the winter transfer window.
But the Rhone club suffered several refusals and did not find the rare pearl in the position of number 6 that its coach Laurent Blanc wanted.
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The Lyon transfer window had however started well with the return, 10 years later, of Dejan Lovren (33 years old) from Zénith Saint-Petersburg.
Then, the current 9th in Ligue 1 signed the young Swedish striker Amin Sarr (21) from Heerenveen for 12 million euros.
“
He can bring depth, he is a space player and he is powerful.
He scores goals but can still improve his offensive efficiency.
He is a youngster who can complement Lacazette and others.
It's an interesting profile ”
explained Laurent Blanc, already seduced by the rookie.
To conclude the recruitment, OL bet on the young Brazilian left winger Jeffinho (23), bought for 10 million euros from Botafogo.
But Laurent Blanc wanted to strengthen his midfield with a sentry player.
The task had been entrusted to the head of the recruitment unit, Bruno Cheyrou.
OL first headed for Ellyes Skhiri (Cologne).
But the Tunisian international wanted to end the season with the German club.
Lyon then obtained the agreement of Sevilla player Fernando (35) but the Andalusian club decided to keep him.
The tracks of Adem Zorgane or Florian Grillitsch have also fallen into the water.
The Rhone club finally tried to sign the Milanese Tiémoué Bakayoko, who lacked play this season, in vain.
Gomes and Ciss, the other failures
Lyon did not abandon the track of a number 6. Other players were coveted, such as the Brazilian from Flamengo Joao Gomes or the Senegalese from Rayo Vallecano, Pathé Ciss.
The first decided to join Wolverhampton in the Premier League before the second could also join the club, due to lack of time before the end of the transfer window.
At the same time, Malo Gusto, Chelsea's new signing, will remain at the club until the end of the season.
Good news for Laurent Blanc who hopes “
that he will have a good four months because it would do us good and it would help him too
”.
During the transfer window, OL will have recorded the departures on loan of Toko Ekambi (Rennes), Tetê (Leicester), Reine-Adelaïde (Troyes) or even Faivre and Pollersbeck in Lorient.
