Milan agreement to loan Athekame to Olympique Lyonnais | OneFootball

Milan have agreed the straight loan of Zachary Athekame to Olympique Lyonnais, claim French reports, with no option to make it permanent.

There had already been suggestions today in the Italian media that Athekame was one of the players to be cut from the squad after a disappointing pre-season with new coach Ruben Amorim.

Athekame did not impress Milan

GENOA, ITALY – MAY 17: Zachary Athekame of Milan (right) celebrates with his team-mate Cheveyo Balentien after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 17, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Just hours later, French transfer pundit Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport revealed that Lyon had agreed terms for a dry loan, meaning there is no option to buy at the end of the season.

The Ligue 1 side will cover his full salary during the campaign, but he will then return to San Siro in the summer of 2027.

Athekame is a Switzerland international who was purchased only a year ago from Young Boys at a cost of €10m plus add-ons, but struggled to make an impact with the Rossoneri.

He made 29 competitive appearances, providing two goals against Pisa and Genoa, plus two assists for his teammates.

His contract with Milan still runs to June 2030.