Botafogo’s Luiz Henrique keen on Lyon move | OneFootball

Thiago Almada (23) has already publically revealed that he will be making the move to Olympique Lyonnais this month and one of his teammates at Botafogo, Luiz Henrique (24), wants to join him, according to a report from L’Équipe.

Brazil international Henrique joined Botafogo from Real Betis just one year ago and has since gone from strength to strength, winning the Copa Libertadores and establishing himself in the national team set-up. However, he does not wish to remain in his native Brazil.

He could be set for a lateral move within the Eagle Football Group multi-club model. Botafogo share the same shareholder as Lyon, in the form of John Textor. Despite a recruitment ban this January, Almada is hoping to make the move to France and Henrique now wants to join him, as per L’Équipe.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles key to the move?

The winger, who has 12 goals and six assists in 55 matches for Botafogo, was in attendance for OL’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League in December, and he enjoyed his experience at the Groupama Stadium, to the extent that he wants a move to the club.

However, there is another snag, beyond the recruitment ban and the vagueness of how this will be applied to transfers within the Eagle Football Group multi-club model. With Almada also set to arrive, there will be no more non-EU spots available. Ainsley Maitland-Niles provides the key to the resolution.

It is hoped that England international Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be recognised as a Barbados national in the coming weeks. The Caribbean island is a country that is a signatory to the Cotonou agreement with the EU, which means that should AMN become a Barbados national, he would no longer be considered a non-EU player within OL’s roster.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle