FC Lorient president Loïc Féry has acknowledged that young Cameroonian midfielder Arthur Avom Ebong may not remain at the club much longer, as interest mounts from top-tier sides following Lorient’s promotion to Ligue 1.
The 20-year-old has agreed to a contract extension running until June 2027, triggered automatically by Lorient’s rise to the top division.
Despite the extension, Féry suggested the player’s future remains open, particularly given growing interest from rival clubs.
“Indeed, he has a contract until 2026, but the automatic extension clause when the player plays in Ligue 1 means that, de facto, it is 2027,” Féry told L’Équipe. “He is indeed one of the players in high demand.”
Avom Ebong, who arrived from Cameroon and made an immediate impression in Ligue 2, played 32 matches during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring twice and registering six assists.
His performances were key to Lorient’s successful promotion push, and they have not gone unnoticed across Europe.
“If top-tier clubs follow through on their interest in this type of player, it will be difficult for us to keep him,” Féry admitted. “He is one of the players in high demand, and the recruitment we have been able to make is also one of the ways to anticipate, in case there is a departure. It’s not impossible to see him leave.”
Born in Yaoundé, Avom Ebong has quickly risen through the ranks since joining Lorient.
According to Transfermarkt, his market value stands at €5 million, a figure that could rise should he feature prominently in Ligue 1 next season.
In France, he currently earns an annual salary of €56,701, equivalent to approximately 36.8 million FCFA.
Féry’s comments highlight Lorient’s delicate balancing act as they return to the elite division—retaining talent while also preparing for the potential exits of their most promising players.
With the summer transfer window still open, the coming weeks could be decisive for Avom Ebong’s future.
While Lorient prepares for life in Ligue 1, their prized midfielder may be weighing up the next step in a rapidly ascending career.
