Royal Antwerp Set to Sign Mahamadou Diawara from Lyon

Royal Antwerp and Olympique Lyonnais agreed to a loan deal for Mahamadou Diawara. The agreement includes a 3 million euro buy option and full salary coverage for the Belgian club. Diawara will immediately join team training to give depth to the squad’s midfield options.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Following lengthy conversations with the Belgian club, Lyon and Antwerp finalized a deal that will see the 20-year-old midfielder wear red and white for at least the remainder of the season. The club will fund Diawara‘s entire salary, in addition to the three million euro purchase option and 300,000 euro loan fee agreed upon for the conclusion of the season.

WHAT PROMPTED THE MOVE?

Diawara has appeared in numerous Lyon lineups, although his game time has reduced in subsequent games in the midst of a framework for the games Lyon play. While Kaoru Mitoma has developed into a star attacker for the club, Rodolfo Borrell is rumored to be seeking to recruit another midfielder to bolster their midfield options. As a result, the trade makes sense as Lyon liberates more money while exploring midfield possibilities to add to their depth. Lyon has been aiming to strengthen their midfield to improve on last year’s results, indicating a need for strategic changes within the team.

WHAT NEXT FOR THOSE INVOLVED?

Diawara completed his medicals and trained for Lyon until Friday, so the smooth completion of this transfer will offer him a fresh start to adjust to life in Belgium. Lyon wants to keep him if both Borrell and the player deem it appropriate. He could have an option to stay if the clubs reach an agreement because Union Saint Gilloise has the option of matching the amount agreed upon between Diawara and Union Saint Gilloise or signing him for free. This negotiation aligns with Lyon’s recent efforts to address their financial challenges, which have included selling players to manage costs.