Croatian defender Duje Ćaleta-Car to leave Lyon for Sassuolo

Croatian international defender Duje Ćaleta-Car is reportedly on the verge of leaving Olympique Lyon to continue his career in Italy with Serie A club Sassuolo. French media outlets, including MadeInFOOT, have reported a verbal agreement between Lyon and Sassuolo for the transfer of the 29-year-old center-back.

Ćaleta-Car had returned to Lyon this summer after a one-year loan spell with Real Sociedad. During his time in Spain, he helped the Basque club win the Copa del Rey. However, Real Sociedad opted not to exercise their option to purchase his contract permanently, leading to his return to France.

Despite being under contract with Lyon until the summer of 2027, Ćaleta-Car was not part of the plans of Lyon's current coach, Paul Fonseca. The French club has been actively seeking a solution for his departure, and a move to Sassuolo appears to be the outcome.

Reports suggest that the transfer to Sassuolo will be a permanent one, although the transfer fee has not yet been disclosed. Ćaleta-Car's market value is estimated at around 2.8 million euros, according to Transfermarkt. He joined Lyon in 2023 from Southampton, initially on loan, before his transfer was made permanent.