Malick Fofana exit opens door as Lyon sign Keito Nakamura as joker | OneFootball

Keito Nakamura has joined Lyon as a domestic joker signing after Malick Fofana’s late move to Sunderland, completing his switch from Reims on Wednesday outside the transfer window.

According to L'Équipe, the four-hour gap between France’s 20:00 deadline and England’s midnight cut-off hurt OL. Youssouf Fofana’s loan fell through as Nicolas Tagliafico was not moved in time, and Nakamura had to wait because the Fofana sale was only finalised around 23:30, after France’s window had closed.

As he arrived from another French club, Lyon could still recruit him as a joker. The transfer is structured as €1m now plus €19m in variable bonuses, some near certain this season, others far less likely, with around €10m the likely total.

The left winger offers dribbling and finishing. He hit 14 in 29 in Ligue 2 last season, and 15 in 59 Ligue 1 games for Reims between 2023 and 2025 before their relegation.

He has signed for four years. Lyon added him to their UEFA list on Wednesday night, so he can play in the Europa League. He will miss Auxerre on Friday and must build fitness after not playing since returning from the World Cup.

OL will keep trimming the squad in markets still open, including Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. A Tagliafico exit, 34, contracted to 2027, remains possible given three left-backs and wage pressure. Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez, 18, saw a Derby County loan collapse, while Paul Akouokou, 28, 2027, has drawn little interest.

Source: L'Équipe

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