Tottenham could be set for a major transfer windfall should Lyon win the Europa League, according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
The French side are struggling domestically, currently set to miss out on any European football whatsoever as they sit in a lowly seventh place after 24 games.
But, they have made it through to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, topping their group with five wins and a draw, meaning that they join West Ham in the draw for the round of 16, set to take place on February 25th.
LILLE, FRANCE – DECEMBER 12: Jonathan Christian David #9 of Lille OSC challenges Bruno Guimaraes #39 of Olympique Lyonnais during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lille OSC and Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Pierre Mauroy on December 12, 2021 in Lille, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Ndombele could be made permanent with UEL win
And, speaking to the media ahead of the draw, Aulas revealed that the current loan move for Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele could be made permanent should the French side lift the trophy.
‘We have to let a few games pass by. But if we win the Europa League, anything is possible’. the Lyon president told French outlet RMC.
OL president Aulas on signing Ndombele on permament deal from Tottenham: “We have to let a few games pass by. But if we win the Europa League, anything is possible”, he told RMC. ⚪️ #OL
“We needed to negotiate with Tottenham a lot – it wasn’t easy”, Aulas added. #THFC pic.twitter.com/v5ZFBolC7x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 16, 2022
There is an option to buy in the loan move for the Lyon returnee, set at 60 million euros. Should this be matched by the French side, it would somehow see Spurs break even on their record signing despite two awful years in England.
However, Lyon are by no means favourites to win the Europa League, with Barcelona, RB Leipzig, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund all still in the competition.
Whether Ndombele ends up leaving for anything like the 60 million paid for him remains to be seen.
