Ligue 1 giants fell? Lyon sold 200 million in youth training geniuses before relegation. Still unable to save himself

On June 25, 2025, Ligue 1 giant Lyon received a heavy ticket - he was directly demoted to the French League for financial violations. If the club ultimately fails to appeal, this traditional powerhouse that has won the Ligue 1 championship for seven times will face the crisis of the main players in the team's team's collective escape.

Just two weeks before the relegation storm broke out, Lyon just sold the youth training treasure Serky to Manchester City for a total price of 42 million euros (fixed 36 million + 6 million floating clause). The contract also includes a 15% second transfer share clause. This deal, which is "timely rain", failed to reverse the club's financial decline.

People familiar with the matter revealed that due to the prohibition of termination clauses in the Ligue 1 contract, Lyon and Serky had previously reached a "gentleman agreement" of 22.5 million euros. In this winter transfer window, Dortmund made this offer, but was flatly rejected by Lyon boss Texter. At that time, the club's senior executives confidently said: "Serky is not a seller." However, half a year later, when Manchester City waved a 42 million euro check, Lyon had no choice but to release him.

What is even more sad is that this deal cannot even alleviate the club's urgent needs. According to French media disclosures, Lyon's current liabilities have exceeded the 500 million euro mark. Even if the sale of assets such as Crystal Palace shares is included, it still cannot meet the financial requirements of the French Professional Football League. Club owner Texter has frequently appeared in New York recently to seek investment, but has not seen any substantial progress so far.

For Lyon fans, this summer is doomed to be difficult. From a record seven consecutive Ligue 1 championships from 2002 to 2008, to being forced to relegate to Ligue 2, the club is experiencing the darkest moment in 75 years since its founding. What's even more cruel is that with the departure of core players such as Serki and Lacazette, this Ligue 1 star-making factory that once trained Benzema and Govu may completely collapse.

Lyon has officially launched the appeal process, but legal experts point out that unless the 200 million euros can be completed within 7 days, downgrade is a foregone conclusion. The Ligue 1 revealed that if Lyon is eventually relegated, Reims, the third-last team in Ligue 1 last season, will be substituted for the competition, and Lyon may have to rewrite his story in Ligue 2.

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