In OL’s quest to recruit promising players at a lower cost, John Textor could very often draw on Botafogo as was the case for Jeffinho. However, the American intends to favor quality over quantity in this strategy.
Jeffinho is perhaps OL’s best transfer in the last winter transfer window. The Brazilian dribbler established himself as a very interesting luxury joker before finally finishing the season in Laurent Blanc’s starting lineup. It must be said that Jeffinho got used to Ligue 1 faster and better than expected. A happy transfer except of course for Botafogo supporters. The latter did not appreciate this departure, still harboring a strong resentment towards John Textor. The American businessman is highly contested in the Rio club, some already fearing that he will plunder the workforce for the benefit of OL.
Botafogo-OL, the players will go both ways
Botafogo, a simple branch of OL in the near future? A theory denied by the main interested party. Asked by the Brazilian channel Globo, John Textor was more transparent about his strategy with Botafogo and OL. No question for him to empty the carioca workforce. ” Fans should not be afraid that Botafogo will become a satellite club of Lyon. We are not going to feed Lyon with Botafogo players all the time simply because there is no room (for non-EU players) “, he said.
#Textor : “We plan to use OL to sign players in South America who will play here first. They will be bought by Lyon, but will go through Botafogo.https://t.co/TmvvMwfXYx
— OL+ (@OL__Plus) June 10, 2023
On the contrary, he wants to make Botafogo a land of welcome for many South American recruits before some of them leave for OL. ” We plan to use Lyon capital to sign players in South America who will play here first. They will be bought by Lyon, but will go through Botafogo. It could be a loan, a purchase in collaboration with the clubs “, he dropped. In other words, quality will trump quantity in recruiting. Failing to fully satisfy Botafogo supporters, this has something to reassure OL supporters.
