President of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas is targeting the likes of Emirates, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/China-c8926 in a bid to find a wealthy investor who can help restore the side to its former glory
Following a 1-0 win over bitter rivals AS Saint-Etienne last weekend, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 president, Jean-Michel Aulas, departed for a visit to Middle East. If he left to launch Cegid Middle East, a subsidiary of Cegid, the president of the Rhone giants’
main reason to leave was also to talk with people in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Media learns that the Frenchman then visited Al Wahda officials to discuss the progress of defender Hamdan Al-Kamali who Les Gones have signed on a loan with an option to buy him later on.
Advertising tells that indeed, Lyon are looking to treat their relationship with the UAE club with both sporting and economic perspectives.
And Aulas for one, admits that the relationship could be economically beneficial for the club over the course of time.
“It’s a sports partnership for the moment, but it can become an economic agreement. This is not the end of history, it is only the beginning,” says OL spokesman Olivier Blanc.
This new strategy aims for Stade de Gerland to open its doors to new markets. They have thus, already formed a partnership with Lebanese side Athletico.
The deal includes holding workshops in Beirut three times a year and to attract players and coaches to Lyon. More recently, a similar partnership was struck with Chinese Football Federation.
Two 16-year-olds from almost 500 applicants have already joined the training centre of Olympique Lyonnais and will spend a year under the guidance of experienced coaches who will help them develop.
Now, it remains to be seen whether these strategies will be successful or not as sooner or later, the financial point of view of this relationship may come into play.
Seeing Paris Saint-Germain becoming a force t be reckoned with has forced Aulas to look for wealthy investors in Middle East and other regions. Signing sporting deals may well be the start of a long and prosperous economic relationship that will bear fruit
for years to come.
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