Lyon Open to Keeping Umtiti and Grenier Amid Transfer Window Uncertainty
Olympique Lyonnais defender Samuel Umtiti appears set to remain at the club for now, with no immediate transfer on the horizon. Club president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed over the weekend that extending Umtiti’s contract is not a concern for the management, indicating the French side’s willingness to keep hold of the promising centre-back.
Speaking after Lyon’s pre-season win over Shakhtar Donetsk, Aulas acknowledged that both Umtiti and midfielder Clément Grenier have drawn interest from abroad. However, the club has yet to receive any formal offers that would tempt them to sell. Notably, a recent proposal from Germany was reportedly rejected by Grenier.
Sporting advisor Bernard Lacombe also admitted that no current bids are being actively considered for either player. Despite this, Lyon’s financial realities mean that a major sale before the close of the transfer window cannot be ruled out.
Frédéric Guerra, the agent representing both Umtiti and Grenier, offered some clarity in an interview with L’Équipe. While acknowledging that both players would consider a move to a club offering greater sporting ambition and the potential to compete for silverware, Guerra was quick to stress their commitment to Lyon.
“Before the end of last season, when Rémi Garde had not yet decided on his future, we approached the management to say that Clément and Samuel would be open to a move offering sporting progression and a chance to win titles,” Guerra said. “But they are both very happy at Lyon.”
Guerra also underlined that neither player would leave simply for the sake of a transfer, insisting that any move would have to represent a clear step forward in their careers. This balanced approach signals a degree of stability for Lyon fans, even if the club’s financial situation might still dictate at least one major sale before the window closes.
While the future of Umtiti and Grenier remains uncertain, the tone from both club officials and their agent suggests that a departure is far from inevitable. With no pressure to sell immediately, and the players expressing satisfaction with their current environment, Lyon may yet retain two of their brightest talents heading into the new season.
