The right-wing position was a real problem for Lyon during the first half of the season.

Ernest Nuamah, one of OL’s biggest investments in recent years, suffered an ACL injury in April and is expected to return to the pitch during the first quarter of 2026. Adam Karabec failed to convince — despite his undeniable passing quality, certain weaknesses, particularly physical ones, limited the Czech player’s impact and playing time. Rachid Ghezzal, a club academy product, returned at the age of 33 but is no longer at the required level. Pavel Šulc eventually established himself as more efficient in a central role, which even led Paulo Fonseca to occasionally switch systems and play without a true right winger.

Ernest Nuamah’s return could change a lot of things, but it remains subject to many uncertainties, both physical and psychological. Lyon would therefore begin the 2026–2027 season with Afonso Moreira and Ernest Nuamah as wingers — two profiles based on dribbling and depth — while the signing of a left winger to replace Malick Fofana would likely fit that same profile as well.

In order to bring greater tactical diversity, it makes sense to follow the same logic the recruitment department adopted last summer when signing Adam Karabec: a winger who creates danger through passing and creativity rather than dribbling and running. A winger capable of delivering crosses to the target striker and posing a threat from set pieces — a profile close to a traditional No.10, but deployed on the right flank.

Profile sought to find a creative winger using data:

• Market value under €10 million
• Will earn less than the top 10 players (2.5M€/year gross)
• European competition experience is a plus
• 50%: Brings attacking threat
• 30%: Link-up play
• 20%: Crossing and dead-ball situations

Market opportunities to find a creative winger :