Youngster Diego Moreira’s loan move from Chelsea to Lyon was finalised ‘a few minutes before the transfer market closed’ and facilitated by super-agent Jorge Mendes.
That’s according to Olympique Et Lyonnais and L’Equipe, who both cover the last-minute move and how it was done in record time.
Moreira joined Lyon on a season-long loan deal late on Friday as they made a last-minute move to replace Bradley Barcola after his move to Paris Saint Germain.
Olympique El Lyonnais report that the whole deal came close to not happening given the lateness, with discussions between Lyon and Chelsea ending ‘a few minutes before the transfer window closed’.
Fortunately for all involved a deal was done, though, that will take the youngster on loan for the season and see the French side pay €2.8m for the privilege.
The deal, despite being close to failing, was helped by Jorge Mendes, report L’Equipe, who say that he held ‘direct contact’ with Lyon owner John Textor that helped to ‘facilitate the speed’ of the transaction and get everything over the line in time.
The bad news for Lyon is that the Chelsea man won’t immediately be joining them and has instead immediately headed out to link up with Portugal’s U21s for clashes against Andorra and September.
It means the French side will have to wait before integrating their last-minute signing into the squad and getting him up to speed, an ironic slowdown after such a rush to get him in.
