Orban poised for January move amid Lyon’s financial struggles

Nigerian forward Gift Orban is on track for a January departure from Olympique Lyon, as the embattled French club grapples with a looming relegation to Ligue 2.

Reports suggest Turkish giants Beşiktaş are leading the race to secure the striker’s services.

The seven-time Ligue 1 champions find themselves in turmoil after the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG), the French football financial watchdog, imposed heavy sanctions on the club. Despite sitting fifth in the league standings, Lyon faces a transfer ban and compulsory relegation due to escalating financial woes.

Under the ownership of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group, the club’s debt has ballooned from €458 million to €508 million, leaving Lyon with little choice but to sell key players during the January transfer window to stabilize their finances.

Orban, who arrived from Belgian side Gent last January in a €12 million deal, headlines a list of stars likely to be offloaded. Other notable names include Alexander Lacazette, Nicolás Tagliafico, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rayan Cherki, and Wilfred Zaha.

Beşiktaş have expressed strong interest in the 22-year-old striker, with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst reportedly eager to pair him with Italian forward Ciro Immobile.

The Turkish club is preparing a loan proposal for Orban, whose playing opportunities in France have been limited.

Lyon’s financial challenges may force them to accept such offers, setting the stage for a significant reshuffling of their squad in January.

Despite arriving with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers following an impressive record of 32 goals in 52 games for Gent, Orban has struggled to replicate that form in France, managing just five goals in 21 appearances for Lyon.

His difficulties have been compounded by off-field issues, including a controversial social media post and reports of poor training performances, leading to his omission from recent matchday squads by the club’s technical director.

However, the Nigerian showed glimpses of his potential in patches during the 2023/24 campaign, notably bagging a brace in a 4-3 win against Strasbourg, demonstrating the clinical finishing that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young strikers.

Currently under contract until 2028, Orban’s situation has attracted interest from several European clubs looking to secure a proven goalscorer at a potentially reduced price given Lyon’s desperate financial situation.