In the turmoil enveloping Olympique Lyonnais, one question now echoes in corridors of power and among supporters alike: who should Lyon sell to survive — both financially and sportingly? KorKick takes you beyond the transfer rumor mill to analyze who must go, who might stay, and how these decisions could define Lyon’s future.
The Crisis Behind The Curtain

Lyon’s predicament is nothing short of existential. The club recently faced administrative relegation by the DNCG (French football’s financial watchdog) for the 2025–26 season, due to unresolved financial issues and deficits. This decision forces Lyon into drastic restructuring: simultaneously cutting costs and trying to maintain a competitive squad. The pressure to sell now is real—and unforgiving., revenue for 2024–25 dropped significantly, compounding an already precarious budget structure. While Lyon once posted a record €368 million revenue in 2023–24, a sharp fall to around €273.8 million in the next fiscal year reveals a narrowing margin for error. The club must now liquidate assets — specifically players — to balance the books and reduce a wage burden they can no longer sustain.
In this “fire sale” climate, let’s assess who should Lyon sell — which names make sense to offload, and which must be preserved for survival.
Criteria For A Sale: What Lyon Must Weigh
Before proposing names, Lyon needs to approach sales strategically. Here are key parameters they should apply when deciding who to sell:
- Market demand & resale value — Prioritize players with high external interest and strong sell-on potential.
- Wage burden — Offload high-earning, underperforming players first.
- Tactical replaceability — Retain core players who are central to Fonseca’s system or irreplaceable in weaker squad depth.
- Contract length & flexibility — Players with short contracts or clauses facilitating sale are more liquid assets.
- Balance first-team viability — Don’t hollow out the team completely and risk collapse in the lower division.
With those criteria, here are Lyon’s prime candidates for sale — and some they should fight to keep.
Top Candidates To Sell

Rayan Cherki
This one is already done: Cherki has joined Manchester City for about €36 million. The departure is sobering, because he was the most creative attacking spark in the squad. But in Lyon’s current state, releasing their best homegrown talent was nearly inevitable given the financial rescue mission now underway.
Maxence Caqueret
Caqueret has been Lyon’s midfield metronome, but his departure to FC Nantes for ~€2.5 million underscores the urgency. While modest, this sale frees his salary and opens space in midfield for leaner options. The challenge now is whether Lyon regrets letting go of midfield stability.
Georges Mikautadze
Gone to Villarreal for roughly €31 million, Mikautadze represented a big chunk of Lyon’s attacking identity. Offloading a starting striker normally undermines purpose, but the cash injection was seen as too tempting to refuse. Lyon’s ability to rebuild upfront is under intense scrutiny now.
Lucas Perri
The Brazilian keeper moved to Leeds for ~€16 million. Lyon can’t afford to carry two high-salary goalkeepers, and Perri was deemed expendable in light of Turner’s arrival. Still, losing Perri could backfire if Turner falters or sustains injury.
Gift Orban
Orban’s sale (reportedly ~€9 million) may prove controversial. He had physical attributes and upside but inconsistency made him less reliable. Lyon likely opted to convert that potential into immediate liquidity.
Additional Possible Departures
Other names frequently mentioned in exit lists:
- Malick Fofana: A young winger with major upside and suitors. Selling him could be painful — but may provide funds to stabilize.
- Said Benrahma: Already sold in the current window, but his departure is emblematic of offloading experienced, high-wage assets.
- Johann Lepenant: With a move to FC Nantes, his sale shows Lyon are ready to part with midfield depth.
- Saël Kumbedi: On loan to Wolfsburg, his departure hints at Lyon letting defensive options go where possible.
Who Lyon Shouldn’t Sell — At Least Not Now

Given the depth crisis looming in Ligue 2, some players are too valuable to let go in this moment of upheaval:
- Tyler Morton: A fresh signing, he represents hope. Lyon needs midfield control and youthful energy — he may become a pivot around which future rebuilds pivot.
- Matt Turner: With Perri offloaded, Turner must be kept as first-choice. He is expensive but now essential.
- Key defensive pillars or young talents: If Lyon offloads every competent defender or promising youth, they risk collapse in the lower division. Even in distress, depth is required.
Strategic Sales To Consider Going Forward
Looking ahead, Lyon should continue with a tiered sale strategy:
- Mid-tier assets: Players still contributing but with external interest (e.g. Fofana)
- Less essential fringe: Squad rotation players who don’t materially affect the core
- Contract risk-outs: Older players with heavy salaries and near contract end
If Lyon can extract €70–80 million, they may regain breathing room — but only if replacements or internal promotions can fill gaps without too much dropoff.
Risks And Pitfalls
Selling too many core assets at once is a slippery slope. Overtrading creates a weaker squad entering a lower division — which leads to potential further erosion, demoralization, and fan pushback. Also, undervaluing youth — especially in Lyon’s proud academy history — would erode long-term competitiveness.
Financially, Lyon must balance between short-term survival and sustainable planning. They must avoid over-discounting in desperation, avoid panicked gag sales, and protect their ability to appeal the DNCG ruling.
Conclusion
Who should Lyon sell is no longer a rhetorical question — it’s their lifeline. Cherki, Mikautadze, Perri, Caqueret, Orban and others have already been sold or moved. Going forward, Lyon should continue to free up wages and raise cash — but selectively. Some players, especially recent signings and defensive anchors, must be protected lest the club collapse under its own weight.
Now is the time for deliberate, surgical sales—not reckless looting. If you’re following Lyon’s next move, stay with KorKick. We’ll track every exit, every incoming link, and every twist in the rebuilding saga.