TSG Hoffenheim and Olympique Lyonnais have reached a pivotal agreement for the transfer of Nigerian forward Gift Orban, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Soccernet.football understands.
The deal now hinges on the 22-year-old striker’s final approval to complete the move.
For Hoffenheim, currently languishing in 15th place in the Bundesliga, the arrival of Orban could be a turning point.
Their struggle for goals has left them perilously close to the relegation zone, with just 20 strikes in 15 league matches. Croatian striker Andrej Kramarić leads their scoring charts with six goals, but the team’s overall lack of attacking efficiency has been glaring.
Gift Orban, a 2023 Super Eagles invitee, offers Hoffenheim a glimmer of hope. Known for his agility and clinical finishing, the Nigerian could be the solution to their woes in the final third.
His addition would not only boost their goal tally but potentially inject much-needed confidence into a team battling for survival.
At Lyon, Orban’s stint has been far from ideal.
The forward has been frozen out of the squad due to disciplinary issues, limiting him to just five appearances across all competitions this season, where he managed two goals.
Lyon, grappling with financial challenges and a precarious position in Ligue 1, are keen to offload players like Orban to stabilize their finances.
Hoffenheim’s strategic move to secure Orban could prove crucial.
For the Bundesliga side, this agreement presents an opportunity to reignite their season. For Lyon, it represents a chance to ease financial pressure while moving forward without a player deemed surplus to requirements.