Olympique Lyonnais are set to sell forward Afonso Moreira to Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of €32 million, according to reports in L’Équipe. The Portuguese talent has arrived in Germany to undergo a medical examination before finalising his contract with the Bundesliga club.
The move comes as Lyon prepares for a review by the DNCG, the financial regulator of French football. The sale of Moreira is reportedly intended to alleviate potential financial concerns and avoid further scrutiny, similar to the situation surrounding Georges Mikautadze’s departure last summer.
Moreira emerged as a key player for Lyon this past season, contributing eight goals and ten assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. He joined the club from Sporting Lisbon in July of last year for a reported €2 million, representing a significant profit for Lyon with this sale. Leverkusen had been actively pursuing the 21-year-old in recent weeks.
The transfer provides a substantial financial boost for Lyon, who have faced well-documented financial difficulties. The funds will be crucial as the club navigates the DNCG review process and aims to maintain financial stability. Leverkusen, meanwhile, adds a promising young attacker to their squad, bolstering their options ahead of next season. The deal is expected to be completed swiftly following the successful completion of Moreira’s medical.
