Lille earned only a fraction from Osimhen's top transfer

In 2020, Lille made headlines when they sold Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to Napoli for a reported fee of seventy million euros.

The transfer was celebrated at the time as a historic success for both clubs Napoli secured a highly sought-after forward, and Lille appeared to cash in on their rising star for a club-record sum. However, as time passed, the reality of the deal proved far less glamorous. Olivier Létang, Lille’s current president, recently revealed that the club retained only a fraction of the reported fee, raising questions about the true nature of the transfer.

Létang, who succeeded Gérard Lopez as Lille’s president, disclosed in an interview that the club ultimately received just seven million euros a sum that pales in comparison to the initially reported seventy million. This figure, even lower than previously speculated, shocked many observers and underscored the complexities behind the deal. Létang explained that, at the same time as Osimhen’s transfer, Lille acquired four players from Napoli for a combined value of twenty million euros. The president was blunt in his assessment, stating that these players “had a value of zero.” By bundling these acquisitions into the deal, Lille’s overall financial gain was significantly reduced. Once agent commissions, intermediary fees, and other transaction-related costs were deducted, Lille’s net earnings amounted to very little.

The deal has drawn scrutiny from both French and Italian authorities, with ongoing investigations into potential fraud. Police raids have already been conducted at the offices of both clubs as part of the inquiry. The Osimhen transfer has become emblematic of the murky dealings that sometimes accompany high-profile transfers in football, where intermediaries, bundled players, and hidden clauses can obscure the true flow of money. Investigators are reportedly examining whether valuations were inflated or if irregular payments were involved. For Lille, this episode has become a lingering reminder of the financial risks associated with aggressive transfer dealings during the Gérard Lopez era, a period characterized by heavy spending and mounting debt.

Létang contrasted the Osimhen deal with two more recent transfers, which, he argued, were far more profitable and transparent. The sales of Carlos Baleba to Brighton for thirty million euros and Amadou Onana to Everton for forty million euros demonstrated Lille’s ability to operate cleanly and efficiently in the transfer market. According to Létang, those transactions involved no kickbacks, intermediaries, or questionable commissions, reflecting a new direction for the club under his leadership.

While the investigations into past dealings continue, Létang’s attention has turned to Lille’s current challenges, including the futures of two of the club’s key players Jonathan David and Angel Gomes. Both players have been standout performers this season, drawing significant interest from top clubs across Europe. Jonathan David, a prolific Canadian striker, has established himself as one of the most reliable goal-scorers in Ligue 1, while Angel Gomes, the English midfielder with creative flair, has become a driving force in Lille’s midfield. Their contributions have been essential to Lille’s success, but both players are nearing the end of their contracts, which expire at the conclusion of the current season.

Despite the growing speculation around their futures, Létang made it clear that Lille has no intention of selling either player during the January transfer window. “There is no question of a key player who is performing well leaving us in January,” he said, emphasizing the club’s determination to retain its strongest assets. Lille’s priority remains securing qualification for the Champions League, a goal that would be far more difficult to achieve without David and Gomes. However, the decision to hold onto them comes with its own risks. Should Lille fail to extend their contracts, the club faces the possibility of losing both players on free transfers in the summer, forfeiting the significant fees they could command in the transfer market. For now, the club appears willing to gamble on the short-term benefits of keeping their best players in pursuit of their immediate objectives.

Lille’s situation highlights the challenges of balancing on-field performance with financial stability in modern football. The fallout from the Osimhen transfer serves as a cautionary tale, while the decisions surrounding David and Gomes reflect the club’s ambitions and the delicate nature of managing high-value assets. Létang’s leadership marks a clear departure from the chaos of the Gérard Lopez era, as he seeks to restore Lille’s credibility and competitiveness both domestically and in Europe. The investigations into the Osimhen deal continue to cast a shadow over the club, but Lille remains focused on the present, determined to secure Champions League football and build a sustainable future. For now, all eyes are on Létang and his ability to navigate these challenges while keeping Lille’s ambitions firmly on track.