Olympique Lyonnais to Secure the Signature of Duje Caleta-Car

In what could easily be an influential move this summer, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is on the brink of capturing the signature of Duje Caleta-Car, a former Olympique de Marseille (OM) player. The Croatian international is set to undergo his medical examination on Wednesday, marking a significant development that has been circulating for several days. The transfer is poised to shake up both the defensive line-up of OL and the rivalry between Lyon and Marseille.

Having previously plied his trade in Ligue 1 between 2018 and 2022 with OM, Caleta-Car is expected to join the other Olympique club in the coming hours. According to reports from The Telegraph, the defender, who was acquired by Southampton for approximately 8 million euros a season ago, is now on the verge of committing to OL. His return to Ligue 1 is bound to generate attention, especially when considering the existing heated rivalry between Lyon and Marseille.

At just 26 years old, the Croatian defender, with 23 international caps to his name, already possesses a wealth of experience in elite French football. He participated in over 100 Ligue 1 matches during his time at Marseille. Moreover, Caleta-Car’s arrival at OL could potentially impact the ongoing negotiations involving Castello Lukeba. The Lyon-based club intends to rebuff RB Leipzig’s latest offer for their promising young central defender. It remains to be seen whether Laurent Blanc, the OL manager, envisions pairing the two players in the heart of the Lyon defense.

Reportedly, Olympique Lyonnais is set to spend 5 million euros to secure the services of Duje Caleta-Car. This figure represents a potentially advantageous deal, particularly considering that Southampton may incur a financial loss in this transaction after purchasing the player for a higher fee just last season. With this potential transfer, Lyon’s summer transfer window appears to be relatively subdued in terms of arrivals, apart from the impending acquisition of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Rafael Santos Borré. Consequently, Lyon’s current focus is on retaining key players, such as Bradley Barcola, who is closely monitored by Paris Saint-Germain.

In conclusion, Olympique Lyonnais seems poised to make a significant addition to their squad with the imminent signing of Duje Caleta-Car. This move represents a strategic decision by Lyon’s management to bolster their defense and potentially strengthen their position among Ligue 1 contenders this upcoming season. With ongoing negotiations involving promising young talent and rumors surrounding players’ futures, Lyon’s activities in the transfer market continue to captivate football enthusiasts across Europe.