Last winter, when Jean-Michel Aulas had planned to sell players for more than 100 million euros, OL management decided to spend 12 million on Amine Sarr, a striker who obviously did not the level to evolve with Les Gones.
Unable to provide additional financial guarantees, John Textor’s OL were sanctioned with a transfer and wage bill framework. In question: the refusal to respect the initial plan of Jean-Michel Aulas, who had promised 110 million euros in player sales to the DNCG, last December. The former president of Les Gones had planned the departure of young cracks (Castello Lukeba in addition to Malo Gusto) but had also valued Karl Toko Ekambi at 20 M€ (while he is going to be recruited by Fenerbahçe for… 2 M€).
The management of “JMA” is no less disastrous than that of its American successor. The boss of Les Gones had let his team, general manager Vincent Ponsot and recruitment manager Bruno Cheyrou, recruit Amine Sarr, on January 30, for 11 M € plus a bonus, with a 10% incentive on the sale in favor of Heerenveen. The Swedish striker, then estimated at 3.5 M€, was not a quality reinforcement. He was an offensive bet at over 10 million.
A cataclysmic level
Surrounded by real talent in OL’s attacking sector, Sarr failed to impose himself. Worse, he absolutely did not show that he was a top player. He completed half a season with one goal and one assist in 15 matches, but it is above all his lack of real qualities that is obvious and which continues to shock Lyon observers during the pre-season (the meetings having been aired in recent weeks).
During the 5 friendly matches, Laurent Blanc trusted the native of Malmö by aligning him on the left wing (Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola having taken over later). But Sarr also found himself at the forefront, Saturday against Crystal Palace, in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette, slightly affected in the adductors. Sarr left to have playing time during the first of the Lyonnais next Sunday, in Strasbourg. A hell of a poisoned gift from the previous management.
