Back from loan from Rennes, Karl Toko Ekambi should definitely leave Olympique Lyonnais this summer. The striker in conflict with Rhone supporters is not lacking in solicitations in Turkey, where the biggest clubs are snapping up his signature.
By concluding the paid loan (1.5 million euros excluding bonus) of Karl Toko Ekambi last January, Stade Rennais had surely hoped for better. The versatile striker hasn’t quite lived up to manager Bruno Genesio’s expectations, scoring just five goals and two assists in 19 games in all competitions.
“Karl Toko, think about the transfer window. We don’t want to see you again with our jersey! »
The Lyon ultras banner targeting Karl Toko Ekambi 👎🏾. pic.twitter.com/fQFWe6qjRH
— 🇨🇲🦁 (@JoueursCMR) May 19, 2023
The balance sheet is not enough to convince the Rouge et Noir to negotiate his final transfer, especially since his loan did not come with an option to buy. Karl Toko Ekambi will therefore not wear the Rennes jersey next season, nor that of Olympique Lyonnais. Admittedly, the Cameroonian international still has a year of contract with Les Gones. But given his very tense relations with Rhone supporters, a return, if only to training on the restart, seems unlikely.
A Saudi club in the race
Hostilities between the two parties are known and have never ceased despite the player’s temporary departure to Brittany. It remains to be seen where the Lyonnais will bounce back. No offense to his many detractors, Karl Toko Ekambi has quite a rating in Turkey! The local media NTV Spor revealed at the beginning of the week the interest of Besiktas, ready to transmit an offer of 2.5 million euros.
And this Saturday, our colleagues from RMC tell us that Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are also interested in the former Villarreal player. It is therefore the three cadors of Süper Lig who should compete on this file, to the delight of Olympique Lyonnais who will obviously not retain their undesirable. Note that the Saudi club Al-Shabab could get ahead of them, an offer for a two-year contract having been sent to the Indomitable Lion.
