On Wednesday, it was announced that Lyon had signed Duje Caleta-Car from Southampton, but it wasn’t the deal everyone was expecting.
Originally, it was stated the Ligue 1 side would pay the Saints around €5m for the Croatia international’s transfer, but it ended up being a loan.
There’s a good reason for that, according to L’Equipe, and it plays in the favour of Lyon, who managed to convince Southampton to play along.
The French side is currently under scrutiny because of their finances, with their wage bill being monitored, and they ended up putting together a deal that helps both them and the Championship side.
It’s explained that Lyon paid Southampton €1.54m up front for the loan, which will be used by the English club to pay Caleta-Car’s wages.
Therefore, no new salary appears on Lyon’s yearly bill.
This is accompanied by an option to buy of €3.59m, as well as a bonus of €2.1m.
The first chunk is compulsory, and the defender will sign a four year contract, which he has already agreed to, once the DNCG stop their monitoring of the wage bill.
Therefore, Southampton will get their money and have compensation for the player’s wages already in their pocket.
A convoluted affair, but one that suits everyone, including Caleta-Car, who escapes Championship football and returns to Ligue 1.
