After recruiting Orel Mangala at a high price (€11.7 million loan payment + €17.5 million purchase option), John Textor continues his shopping at Nottingham Forest. The American boss of OL has in fact completed the transfer of Moussa Niakhaté, 28-year-old central defender, with his counterpart Evangelico Marinakis, for nearly €31 million.
The Senegalese international (10 caps) still had two years of contract in England, since his club had decided this summer to exercise a one-year extension option for which he had fulfilled all the conditions. He is a solid player in duels (1.90 m) and left-handed, as requested by Pierre Sage. On the other hand, he does not have the profile of a raiser, even if he is rather comfortable in the short game.
The priority for this position has long been Nayef Aguerd, but West Ham asked for €45 million for their Moroccan international and OL did not go up to this sum. Desired by John Textor, the Niakhaté track, revealed this Thursday by The Telegraph and Foot Mercato, had nevertheless been validated by the Lyon technical decision-makers, David Friio and Matthieu Louis-Jean.
