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The former Super Eagles prospect now faces the end of his Lyon career as the club navigates possible relegation and financial ruin
Nigerian striker Gift Orban’s turbulent spell at Lyon appears to be nearing its end following the club’s provisional relegation to Ligue 2 due to severe financial irregularities.
The French football watchdog, DNCG, has sanctioned the club, forcing them to consider selling prized assets to mitigate their financial crisis.
Lyon’s crisis forces major sales
Lyon’s financial troubles stem from a reported debt increase from €458 million to €508 million under the ownership of John Textor’s Eagle Football Group.
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The DNCG has imposed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2, a transfer ban, and wage supervision, leaving the club scrambling to improve its finances.
To address the crisis, Lyon is expected to offload key players during the winter transfer window, including Gift Orban, Rayan Cherki, and Malick Fofana.
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Orban, who signed for €12 million from Gent on a four-and-a-half-year contract, has not lived up to expectations, scoring just five goals in only 21 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
Orban’s decline and looming exit
Once heralded as a future star after netting 32 goals in 52 games for Gent, Orban’s form has dipped significantly since arriving in France.
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According to reports, Lyon is eager to sell Orban and other players like Saïd Benrahma to generate much-needed funds.
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While Orban’s destination remains uncertain, his departure seems inevitable as Lyon prioritises financial survival over retaining underperforming talents. Whether he can recover his form and fulfil his promise will be the key question as the January transfer window approaches.
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