Former Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas aiming to purchase OL Vallée Arena | OneFootball

According to L’Équipe, former Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas wants to purchase the newly built arena near Groupama Stadium. The arena coined OL Vallée Arena is currently occupied by Olympique Lyonnais’ sister basketball team ASVEL.

LDLC Arena, as it is otherwise known, was built in 2023 and played host to its basketball game in November 2023. The stadium was built as part of a larger development around Groupama Stadium led by the former Lyon owner. This development was named OL Vallée with several shops, bars and restaurants also built within the vicinity of the club’s stadium.

A date for the 31st of May 2024 has been set for the negotiations to be finalised and for all the shares in the ownership of the 16,000-seater stadium to be sold. Aulas intends to purchase the arena through his family company Holnest.

A sign of better relations?

Previously, relations between Jean-Michel Aulas and now Lyon owner John Textor have been sour since the American businessman took control of the club. Aulas intended to sue Textor at one point in time. However, with the pair now locked in negotiations over the sale of an asset which would increase funds at OL, it could be a sign that relations are much improved between the respective businessmen.

GFFN | Liam Wraith