With the potential departure of Castello Lukeba to Leipzig, OL are actively looking for one or even several central defenders in the transfer window. A surprising track led to former Marseille player Duje Caleta-Car. However, the intervention of the DNCG changed the situation.
Several positions to be strengthened have clearly been identified by Laurent Blanc during this summer transfer window. The Olympique Lyonnais coach has asked for reinforcements in the midfield and will see Skelly Alvero land, recruited from Sochaux against 6 million euros. A first recruit who will give a smile to the ex-coach of PSG, who nevertheless expects more to uncork the champagne. In defense, Laurent Blanc also requires rookies, especially as the OL coach is preparing to lose Castello Lukeba, assiduously courted by RB Leipzig.
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According to information from Foot Mercato, an astonishing target was in the sights of Les Gones and their new recruiter Matthieu Louis-Jean. This is Duje Caleta-Car, sold just a year ago by Olympique de Marseille for 8 million euros to Southampton. With only 13 Premier League games on the clock, the Croatian international has had a nightmarish season, punctuated by the Saints’ descent into the English second division. The opportunity was great for OL to recover a reliable player accustomed to Ligue 1 at a lower price, according to the specialized media, which affirms that Duje Caleta-Car corresponds to the profile defined by Laurent Blanc.
Caleta-Car corresponds to the profile defined by Blanc
The Lyon coach has asked for an experienced central defender who knows Ligue 1 and who speaks French. This is the case of “DCC”, which would be available for around 10 million euros on this summer transfer window. The track has the merit of existing and it is seriously studied by the staff of Olympique Lyonnais, who could dream of reconstituting a 100% Croatian defense with Duje Caleta-Car and Dejan Lovren next season. However, the DNCG’s decision to place OL under control more or less totally repels this lead, Lyon now having a priority, sell to buy. And now that all of Europe knows the situation of Lyon, it will not help to negotiate the transfer of one or more days.
