Nigerian striker Gift Orban is poised for a January departure from the beleaguered French club Olympique Lyon, following their provisional relegation to Ligue 2. Turkish giants Beşiktaş are reportedly leading the race for his signature.
The seven-time French champions have been plunged into turmoil after the French football watchdog, DNCG, imposed severe sanctions on the club, including a transfer ban and mandatory relegation, regardless of their current fifth-place standing in Ligue 1.
Lyon’s crisis stems from a sharp increase in debt, rising from €458 million to €508 million under the ownership of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group. This financial strain is forcing the club to consider selling their most valuable players during the January transfer window.
The 22-year-old Orban, who joined Lyon for €12 million from Belgian side Gent last January, tops the list of players who may be offloaded. Other potential departures include Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolás Tagliafico, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rayan Cherki, and Wilfried Zaha, as Lyon seeks to ease their financial woes.
Beşiktaş have emerged as favourites to sign Orban, with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst reportedly eager to pair the Nigerian forward with Italian striker Ciro Immobile. The Turkish club are preparing a loan offer for Orban, whose playing time in France has been limited.
Despite arriving at Lyon with a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers—having scored an impressive 32 goals in 52 games for Gent—Orban has struggled to find form in France. He has managed just five goals in 21 appearances for Lyon.
His difficulties have been exacerbated by off-field controversies, including a contentious social media post and reports of poor training performances, which have seen him excluded from recent matchday squads by the club’s technical director.
However, Orban showed flashes of his potential during the 2023/24 season, most notably with a brace in a 4-3 victory over Strasbourg, showcasing the clinical finishing that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after young talents.
Under contract until 2028, Orban’s situation has attracted interest from several European clubs seeking a proven goalscorer. With Lyon’s financial struggles likely to lower his market value, he could become an attractive option in the upcoming transfer window.