Euphoria is back between Rhône and Saône. Carried by a renewed offensive sector and an Endrick in a state of grace, Olympique Lyonnais has found a smile and ambition again. But management knows that this improvement is fragile, hanging on the loan of its Brazilian star which will only last six months. Behind the scenes, work is accelerating to prepare for the future and find the man who will embody the Lyon attack of tomorrow. A hot lead, leading to a scorer who has already shone in France, has been activated.
A well-known profile from Ligue 1 to strengthen OL
This scorer is Thijs Dallinga. The Dutch striker, who now plays for Bologna in Serie A, left an excellent memory in France. During his time in Toulouse, he terrorized Ligue 1 defenses, even affording himself the luxury of winning the Coupe de France in 2023, a competition in which he finished top scorer with a double in the final. His profile as a finisher, a real surface fox, is precisely what the Lyon recruitment unit is looking for.
At 25 years old, Dallinga represents an investment in the future, a different profile from the other hot lead leading to the experienced Roman Yaremchuk (30 years old). Where the Ukrainian offers a physical pivot profile, the Dutchman is a pure finisher, a mobile and skillful attacker in front of goal. His successful move to TFC is a guarantee of security: he knows the championship, its demands, and has already proven that he can be decisive. For OL, this is a major asset.
The choice between now and the future
The OL management therefore finds itself faced with a strategic choice. Should we opt for the assurance of a six-month loan with Yaremchuk to secure the end of the season, or bet now on Dallinga to build post-Endrick? The club is not in a hurry, the current results prove it, but the opportunity to sign a scorer of the caliber of the Dutchman, who is also followed by English clubs, will perhaps not arise again.
The transfer window is entering its home stretch and discussions will intensify. OL has the cards in hand to strengthen an already successful sector and calmly prepare for the next seasons. It remains to be seen whether the path leading to Bologna’s scorer will materialize, but one thing is certain: Lyon intends to strike a major blow in attack.
