Thiago Mendes to leave Lyon for Qatar | OneFootball

Lyon’s transfer business is set to be closely monitored over the next season by French football’s financial watchdog, over irregularities which were flagged up in the budget presented by owner and president John Textor.

As a result, player sales will become all the more important over the next few months, with senior players and up-and-coming prospects alike the subject of interest from clubs beyond Ligue 1.

The latest of these major departures – with high earners in Houssem Aouar, Moussa Dembélé and Jérôme Boateng already gone – could be Brazilian midfielder Thiago Mendes. RMC Sport have tonight confirmed initial reporting from Fabrizio Romano that the 31-year-old is closing in on a move to Al-Rayyan in Qatar.

The former Lille man, who has been a fixture of Lyon line-ups for the last four seasons, is said to have a medical lined up as early as tomorrow. The defensive midfielder, who has sometimes played further back in defence as well, leaves having made 143 appearances for the club.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin