How Champions League qualifiers could reshape Lyon’s summer planning, transfers and finances | OneFootball

Lyon will start in the Champions League third qualifying round, with play-offs if they advance. An early pre-season is geared towards reaching the lucrative league phase, according to L'Équipe.

The squad return on 29 June. First-leg dates are 4 or 5 August, with the return on 11 August. Ligue 1 starts the weekend of 23 August.

Fourth place could become a far better season if Lyon reach the league phase for the first time since 2020, a step worth about 45 M€ that would ease sales pressure.

Recruitment covers multiple scenarios, with less premium targets than a third-place finish would have allowed. Sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean aims shrewd business and, if among the 36 on 26 August, late-window additions.

Captain Corentin Tolisso, 31, under contract to 2027, said on Sunday he will stay next season. Lyon must sell by 30 June, and more before 30 August if the Champions League is not secured.

Eagle Bidco has put Botafogo, Molenbeek and Lyon up for sale. Ares, which lent 350 M€ to former owner John Textor, could seize control via debt for equity, as could president Michele Kang.

UEFA will monitor finances for two more years and may withhold around 12 M€ a year if terms are missed. With the Europa League worth about 20 M€, elimination would leave Lyon needing roughly 60 M€ not 30 M€. A DNCG review is soon, and an interim plan could oblige 30 M€ of sales over three months if they fail to qualify in August.

Source: L'Équipe