As the new season begins, Olympique Lyonnais are already looking for a way to offload Paul Akouokou. Surplus to requirements and under contract until 2027, the Ivorian midfielder is being urged to find a new project this summer.
Back at Lyon after a disappointing loan spell at Real Zaragoza in the Spanish second division, Paul Akouokou faces the same reality he left behind: he is still not part of Paulo Fonseca’s plans. The Ivory Coast international, born in Abidjan, has reported for pre-season, but Lyon want to move him on quickly to ease their wage bill. Signed from Sevilla in 2023 for close to three million euros, the defensive midfielder never managed to establish himself with Les Gones, despite a few standout moments such as his starts in the Europa League quarter-finals against Manchester United.
Now valued at around 400,000 euros, Akouokou is above all a headache for Lyon’s management: terminating his contract would be too costly, and he remains tied to the club until June 2027. The challenge now is to find him a landing spot, in France or abroad, on loan or via a transfer. For the player, it is also a chance to revive a stalled career and reclaim valuable minutes ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations. The saga should liven up the closing stages of the window.