Midfielder’s spell at Lyon did not work out.
Two years after a transfer to Tottenham fell through, Pape Cheikh’s spell at Lyon is coming to an end.
Cheikh’s unhappy stint at Lyon saw him start only five Ligue 1 games in two years.
Lyon confirmed Cheikh has rejoined Celta Vigo on loan, with the Spanish side having an option to buy.
After moving to Lyon originally, Cheikh boasted he felt he made the right decision snubbing Tottenham’s offer.
Sky Sports reported in 2017 that Tottenham held talks over a deal.
He told Spanish newspaper AS: “It was a hard decision. Tottenham also wanted me and the truth that their name sounded louder… but the idea of Lyon attracted me. I knew it was a club that works with young people, you work with them, they help you grow. And I think I guessed right.”
Two years on, we can conclusively say Cheikh ‘guessed wrong’.
At Lyon he struggled and was overshadowed by another played who arrived the same summer, Tanguy Ndombele.
Now even with Ndombele sold to Tottenham, Lyon felt Cheikh had no future.
At 22, he must start all over again and try to rebuild.
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