Aston Villa, Everton and Leeds United may have been handed an easy path to the signing of Lyon’s Pavel Sulc. Why? Because the French club need to sell.
Czech Republic international Sulc is one of the leading men for the Ligue 1 club, with one goal and three assists in seven league games this season alone.
In total, he’s managed 16 goals and ten assists in 48 games for the club since a €7.5m move from Viktoria Plzen in August 2025. His record for the Czech club was even better – 47 goals and 31 assists in 167 games.
That’s led to interest around Europe, including in the Premier League. Sport Witness reported at the beginning of August how Everton and Aston Villa had both been in contact regarding a potential move.
That report explained Leeds were also in the picture and had even following his during his time at Plzen. A report in October then stated that Aston Villa were ready to offer fierce competition for his signature.
January transfer needed
The time to make a move could soon be fast approaching. L’Equipe report that despite big sales over the last 12 months, Lyon still need more to balance the books.
The newspaper explains that despite wide ranging cost-cutting measures, Lyon still need to bring more money in to the club. They are living beyond their means and reliant on player sales to finance themselves.
The likelihood is that they will have to sell one or two players in the January transfer window. Pavel Sulc is expected to be one of them. He is currently valued at €20m by the likes of Transfermarkt.
Thus, he is a valuable asset who would not only bring in immediate funds but also register as a big profit on the books as well. Ernest Nuamah is another option. Everton fans may remember that he was close to joining Everton in the January transfer window in 2025.
Transfer risk
The big question is whether Aston Villa, Leeds or Everton want to risk spending on Sulc in January given he is currently out with a meniscus injury.
That’s expected to keep him out injured until midway through February next year. So, it would be a major risk to sign him at this point.
There would even be questions about him passing a medical in January, a month before his expected return.
The opportunity is there, though. Lyon desperately need the money, and sales are being eyed as early as January to bring the funds in.
