Seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon have officially been relegated to the second tier of French football, the Ligue de Football Professionel have confirmed in a statement.
Back in November, Les Gones were provisionally demoted to Ligue 2 due to their disastrous financial situation; it was reported that the club were saddled with debts of over £400m.
Lyon were under immense pressure to rectify their economic situation before the end of the season or face losing their top-flight status, leading to the sales of several prized assets and long-serving stars.
Rayan Cherki, Maxence Caqueret, Gift Orban and Said Benrahma were among the standout players to depart, while president John Textor also sought to improve his club’s financial state by selling his stake in Crystal Palace and ceding control of the women’s team to Michele Kang.
However, Ligue 1’s Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNGC) were not satisfied that such measures led to the desired improvement, and they announced in a press release on Tuesday evening that the club had been relegated.
Lyon – who finished sixth in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 table to qualify for the Europa League – have the right to appeal the decision and are expected to do so, but the decision will come as a major shock to Textor, who was publicly optimistic about Les Gones’ chances of staying in the top flight.
Chelsea, Liverpool given huge transfer green light thanks to Lyon relegation
Liverpool have been in contact with Napoli over an official proposal to sign striker Victor Osimhen by reportedly offering the Serie A champions cash plus TWO Reds stars as part of a swap – and what it will mean for Arne Slot’s Alexander Isak dream has also come to light.
The Premier League champions have worked quickly and efficiently to add to their squad this summer, with signing number five of the transfer window expected to be confirmed in the next 24 hours. And in Milos Kerkez, Liverpool will soon be able to welcome their second new full-back of the summer to join Jeremie Frimpong, while Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and – most eye-catching of all – Florian Wirtz – have also signed on the dotted line.
However, Slot is far from done from strengthening his squad and deals for a new striker and a new centre-half are next on his agenda. As far as a new defender is concerned, we understand the Reds are close to agreeing personal terms with Marc Guehi, with a firm offer expected to be lodged with Crystal Palace over the coming days.
The next blockbuster signing, though, to accompany Wirtz is likely to be in the attack. And while links to Newcastle superstar Isak – described as Slot’s dream addition – have died down, the Reds appear to be hurtling forward with a move instead to bring Osimhen to Anfield.
