For several days, the name of Himad Abdelli has been coming up insistently around Olympique Lyonnais. The profile pleased, the timing seemed ideal and the operation seemed almost settled, especially since the player had even given his personal agreement and had spoken with coach Paulo Fonseca. However, as the winter transfer window approached, the file froze, then gradually closed. At Décines, the midfield project remains an absolute priority, but yesterday’s certainties have given way to a much more complex reality.
A file that stalled in silence
At first glance, all the lights seemed green. Abdelli, whose contract expires in June 2026, arrived in a favorable situation. Lyon, wishing to take advantage of this end of the contract, was considering an offer of around 1 million euros. But very quickly, the discussions lost fluidity. Internally, OL understood that this transfer could not be concluded in the conditions hoped for. The Rhone club did not want an endless soap opera in the middle of winter.
The main reason is now clear: Angers SCO never really opened the door to an immediate departure. Despite Lyon’s offer, the club, currently a pleasant surprise in 10th place in Ligue 1, has chosen to procrastinate. The Angevin leaders estimate the player at a much higher value (around 7 million euros) and would even prefer to see him leave free in June rather than letting go of a key element for a symbolic sum in the middle of the season. The lack of concrete progress between the clubs ended up chilling the Lyon decision-makers.
The Nordic alternative is gaining ground
In an economic context still under surveillance, Olympique Lyonnais did not want to find themselves tied hand and foot. If the DNCG has lifted the strict supervision of its transfer compensation, the club remains under close financial surveillance with a controlled payroll. Waiting for a possible turnaround from Angers, especially since the player is currently at the African Cup of Nations (CAN), would have frozen other avenues. In Lyon, the watchword is clear: quickly secure profiles, without depending on an uncertain file.
It is in this context that another name has taken the lead: Noah Nartey, midfielder from Brøndby IF. Aged 20, Danish international, he ticks several criteria sought by OL: versatility, room for improvement and immediate availability. Long followed, Nartey today appears to be a more manageable option, despite an estimated cost of around 8 million euros.
An assumed turn for OL
The non-transfer of Abdelli is therefore not a simple failure, but a strategic choice in the face of Angevin intransigence. Lyon preferred to close a door that had become too narrow to open another, more consistent with its project under financial constraints. The winter transfer window promises to be active, but more selective. And in this new logic, Abdelli will not be part of the Lyon equation.
