French Ligue 1 powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais has initiated negotiations to secure the permanent signing of Ukrainian international forward Roman Yaremchuk from Greek side Olympiacos. According to a report by the Greek sports outlet [Sport24.gr](https://www.sport24.gr/football/olimpiakos-metagrafes-i-lion-thelei-na-parei-ton-giaremtsouk-me-ta-misa-xrimata-tis-ritras/), Lyon is highly satisfied with the 30-year-old striker’s performances but is reluctant to trigger the full €5 million buyout option established in the initial loan agreement. Instead, the French club is actively pushing to slash the transfer fee in half, offering around €2.5 million for a permanent transfer.
Yaremchuk joined Lyon on loan during the winter transfer window, with the French club already paying Olympiacos €1.5 million for the six-month spell. Despite his successful integration into the squad, Lyon’s management is adopting a pragmatically cautious financial strategy. They argue that a €5 million valuation is too steep under current market conditions and given the player’s age. Consequently, they are testing the waters by offering half of the agreed fee, highlighting the strict budget management currently dominating French football.
However, securing Yaremchuk’s signature permanently will not be an easy task for the French negotiators. Olympiacos’ head coach, José Luis Mendilibar, has made it clear that he intends to keep the Ukrainian forward in his squad for the upcoming season. Mendilibar highly values Yaremchuk’s tactical versatility and physical presence upfront, viewing him as a key asset for the club’s domestic and European campaigns. This stance gives Olympiacos strong leverage, allowing them to reject lowball offers and demand that Lyon either meets the valuation or returns the player.
For Yaremchuk, the current transfer saga marks a crucial juncture in his career. His brief tenure in France has been highly productive, yielding five goals and one assist in 14 appearances across all competitions. These statistics demonstrate his rapid adaptation to Ligue 1’s physical and technical demands. Whether the two European clubs can reach a compromise remains to be seen. If Lyon fails to raise their offer closer to Olympiacos’ expectations, Yaremchuk is poised to return to Greece, where a prominent role under Mendilibar awaits him.