Jordan Veretout Swaps Olympique Lyon For Al Arabi In Qatari Move

French midfielder Jordan Veretout is leaving Olympique Lyon to join Al Arabi in Qatar. The Ligue 1 club and the Qatari side finalized the deal late Friday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Veretout, 32, agreed to sign with Al Arabi SC from Olympique Lyon after weeks of negotiations. The experienced midfielder signed a two-year deal with Al Arabi, and they are not expected to pay a big transfer fee to Lyon. Veretout is relocating to Qatar soon to prepare for the new Qatar Stars League season.

IMPACT ON LYON AND PLAYER’S RECENT FORM

The transfer ends Veretout’s time at Lyon, where he was important in midfield. In the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season, Lyon finished sixth, allowing them to qualify for Europe. Veretout played 27 league games, scored three goals, and made six assists. His departure leaves Lyon with a gap in central midfield before their season opener in August.

WHAT NEXT FOR AL ARABI AND LYON?

Al Arabi is bringing in a seasoned European midfielder to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish in the Qatar Stars League. The club trails leaders Al Sadd by 15 points and hopes Veretout’s experience will help close the gap. Lyon is now expected to target midfield reinforcements in the summer transfer market as they prepare to face Nice, who finished two places below them, in their Ligue 1 curtain-raiser.