Lyon will try and negotiate a cut-price deal with Tottenham for Tanguy Ndombele in the summer, according to former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor (via Football Insider).
The Lowdown: Ndombele’s move to Lyon
The Frenchman re-joined his former Ligue 1 club on transfer deadline day after a tiring transfer saga throughout the January window.
Although only on loan until the end of the season, Lyon have the option of making the deal permanent. Sky Sports have reported that it would cost £54million to enact the permanent transfer, and that the French club have already paid a £1.2 million loan fee.
The France international made his return to action in the Ligue 1 outfit’s 2-0 loss to AS Monaco at the weekend after coming on at half-time. He impressed with a 91% passing success rate, along with completing all of his long ball and dribble attempts.
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The Latest: Agbonlahor makes Ndombele claim
According to talkSPORT’s Agbonlahor (via Football Insider), Lyon will try and negotiate a cut-price deal in talks with Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici.
When asked whether he thought the midfielder’s Tottenham career was over, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It could be.
“But I don’t see Lyon paying that sort of money, to be honest.
“There will be a negotiation on that price. I can’t see Lyon paying that sort of money for someone like Ndombele.”
The Verdict: Lyon won’t make it permanent
Due to the global pandemic, the TV rights debacle in the French league and failing to qualify for the Champions League, L’Equipe reported (via Get French Football News) that Lyon are in a financial crisis, with an estimated deficit of €185m (£156.16m).
As a result, it seems highly unlikely that the club will be able to make Ndombele’s loan permanent in the summer window, with the staggering £54m fee required to do so. Even if that fee were halved, it would make him their most expensive signing ever.
If the Ligue 1 outfit are able to negotiate a much cheaper deal, then this move becomes much more feasible. However, if Spurs are willing to let go of the midfield ‘maverick’ – as Tim Sherwood called him – on the super cheap, there may be a long list of clubs lining up to secure his signature.
In other news: Pete O’Rourke claims Spurs will be interested in signing Paulo Dybala in the summer