Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has taken to social media this evening, to respond to claims of a cut-price fee being agreed with Premier League outfit Crystal Palace over the sale of Joachim Andersen.
Eagles bound
The headline news in South London on Sunday has of course surrounded the imminent arrival of defender Andersen.
The Dane, fresh off the back of an impressive campaign with Fulham, has been tipped for a Premier League return throughout the summer.
To this point, however, the clubs most persistently touted as a potential landing spot had been of the heavyweight variety. Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal were all named as keen on the former Sampdoria man over recent weeks.
In turn, it came as something of a bolt from the blue when, this afternoon, word spread like wildfire online that Crystal Palace had in fact won the race for Andersen’s signature.
A deal is understood to have been struck between the respective boards at Selhurst Park and the Groupama Stadium, with the stopper set to put pen to paper on a 5-year deal at the former:
Done deal and here-we-go, confirmed. Joachim Andersen joins Crystal Palace on a permanent deal from OL. Contract until 2026. 🦅🔴 #CPFC #OL
Paperworks to be signed soon. https://t.co/WD11LtUsao
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2021
Aulas hits back
Andersen’s addition of course marks just the latest piece of altogether impressive business at Crystal Palace thus far this summer.
The Eagles, rebuilding on the back of Roy Hodgson’s departure, have already secured the signings of both Chelsea talent Marc Guehi and EFL Young Player of the Year Michael Olise.
In turn, when media outlets began to push the narrative that Andersen’s addition would be setting the Londoners back just €16 million, plus a potential 4 million in bonuses, praise for those in a position of power in South London quickly began to pour in.
As outlined above, however, whilst Palace’s deal for Andersen remains a superb one, it will in fact not come for the kind of figures touted online.
Taking to his personal Twitter account this evening, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas responded to a report from L’Equipe by confirming that the club’s gifted defender is indeed set for a Premier League return.
However, Aulas, significantly, added that ‘the price is noticeably higher’:
@OL @hugoguillemet l’information est sûrement étayée mais le prix est notoirement supérieur …. Lisez nos communiqué ! https://t.co/ANYIiT8mnU
— Jean-Michel AULAS (@JM_Aulas) July 25, 2021
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