Source:REUTERS/Troy Taormina
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Lyon has been forced to sign goalkeeper Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest, despite no longer wanting him. Turner’s move from Nottingham Forest to Lyon was approved months ago by Lyon’s owner, former Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor. Reports say that Textor had already reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis months ago, with the transfer fee estimated at around £7 million. However, last week it was revealed that Lyon hired lawyers to try to cancel the deal after Textor stepped down from his leadership role in June. Efforts to cancel the transfer failed, and Lyon is now forced to offer the 31-year-old Turner a three-year contract. For Lyon, this has been a turbulent few months, as the French FA overturned the penalty for financial problems that had previously led to their relegation to Ligue 2. To save money in the remaining transfer window, Lyon has arranged for Turner to be loaned out next season. He will return to his former club, New England Revolution of MLS, which will cover his full salary and have an option to buy him.