Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has suggested that Lyon may need to qualify for the Champions League to sign Tanguy Ndombele on a permanent basis.
After falling out of favour at Tottenham Hotspur, the Frenchman has returned to his former club on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old made his first start last weekend, completing the full 90 minutes as Lyon recorded a 2-0 triumph over Nice in Ligue 1.
However, while acknowledging that a bid to keep Ndombele is a possibility, Aulas has hinted that the club may require the finances which come from featuring in European football's premier competition.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Aulas said: "I'm very happy that he came back, with Bruno Cheyrou and Vincent Ponsot at the helm, because we had to discuss with the president of Tottenham who had bought him very expensive.
"He participated in the commitment to come back by investing himself personally. He'll have to miss a few games, it's only the beginning, but if we win the Europa League, everything will be possible."
Lyon can achieve Champions League football by winning that competition or by finishing in the top three in France's top flight, Peter Bosz's side currently four points adrift of that position.
Darren Plant
