Bakary Koné Set to Leave Lyon with Besiktas Move on the Horizon
Bakary Koné’s time at Olympique Lyonnais appears to be coming to an end, as the Burkinabè international prepares for a likely summer departure. Under contract until June 2016, the 27-year-old defender is no longer part of manager Hubert Fournier’s plans and is expected to join Turkish giants Besiktas.
Koné, who was signed from Guingamp in 2011, has struggled to cement a regular starting place at Lyon over the past four seasons. While he showed flashes of promise, his inconsistency has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike, and he has often found himself on the fringes of the squad.
A deal between Lyon and Besiktas is reportedly close, with the transfer fee expected to be around €1.5 million. Should the move go through, it would mark a fresh start for Koné, a key figure for Burkina Faso’s national team and a regular in recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Lyon, meanwhile, are already exploring options to reinforce their defence. The club had been eyeing Cameroonian international Nicolas N’Koulou as a potential replacement. However, negotiations over the Marseille defender are said to be proving complicated, casting doubt over a swift resolution.
As Koné prepares to move on, his departure marks the end of an era that never fully lived up to expectations at Lyon. A transfer to Besiktas could offer the Stallion a chance to revive his club career in a new environment and prove his value on a different stage.
