The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
TINO KADEWERE’S future at Olympique Lyon has become a subject of speculation largely due to the striker’s indifferent season at the French top-flight side, and his handlers are now set for crucial talks with the club at the end of the month.
The 26-year-old Zimbabwe international has registered one goal in 15 appearances, in a season that was blighted by a groin injury that kept him out for long periods.
Kadewere is reportedly owed about US$207 000 in unpaid wages by Lyon, who have struggled in the French Ligue 1 this term and will not play football in Europe next season.
Lyon finish their season at Clermont on May 21 and can now only garner a maximum 61 points, one below Rennes who occupy fifth place, which guarantees a slot in the UEFA Conference League.
It has indeed been a forgettable season for Kadewere, who is now linked with a move away from Lyon.
The Highfield-born striker still has two years on his contract and his management team is preparing for negotiations at the end of the season.
For now, he has to concentrate on the last games of the season.
Lyon played Nantes yesterday and conclude their 2021-2022 French Ligue 1 programme with an away fixture against Clermont on May 21.
Kadewere’s brother, Prosper, who also handles the affairs of the former Harare City forward, revealed that the striker is “focused on helping Lyon finish in a better position” on the Ligue 1 table.
He also spoke about the looming talks.
“We are waiting to have a meeting at the end of the season like we always do. For now, the boy is focused on helping the team finish in a better position,” he told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“You know the boy is a professional and he still has two years left on his contract, so zvakawanda (much) will come after our end-of-season meeting with the boy’s agent, Jihed, in France and the club,” he said.
Kadewere, who thrives on the wing or sometimes as a central striker, has reportedly attracted interest from some English Premier League sides including Southampton.
However, his second season at Lyon has been a far cry from the 2020/2021 season in which the Warriors forward netted 10 goals in 33 appearances.
He won praises from former Lyon player Karim Benzema after breaking records in the Rhone-Alpes derby between Lyon and Saint Etienne.
The Warriors striker became the first Lyon player to come off the bench and score a brace in the derby when his team edged Saint Etienne 2-1 at home on November 8, 2021.
Kadewere scored another brace in the reverse fixture, as Lyon thumped their rivals 5-0 on January 24, 2021.
The former Harare City man signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the club in January 2020, at a time he was the leading scorer with 18 goals for Le Havre in Ligue 2.
He was loaned back to Le Havre until the end of that season, where he eventually won the Ligue 2 Golden Boot with 20 goals.
