They are current French champions but they are been plucked like feathers from a chicken. Just six months ago, Lille were a Ligue 1 sensation when they managed to steal the crown to much wealthier PSG, and became the new champions of France. But that happened to be the ‘swan song’ for the club from the Northern France. It was the beginning of the end for a financially burdened club, as they lost a couple of key players in June transfer window. They were left without a coach, as Cristoph Gautiler left for a much richer Nice, and then keeper Mike Maignan left for AC Milan, followed by Baubakary Soumare (Leicester).Injury prevented Renato Sanches to sign for BarcelonaAnd if that wasn’t enough, Ligue 1 champions can lose as much as three first team players come January. Currently those three players are the backbone of the team, each in their own position. The Dutch international Sven Botman is the main defender and Atalanta, Wolves and Sevilla all wanted him in August, but the club somehow managed to keep him off the market and they plan to do so in January too. But, if Newcastle comes with a big offer, it will be too much for the cash-strapped club. He was bought for 1 billion Ksh last season from Ajax and The Athletic reports that a potential 6 billion bid from the Magpies will be too good to turn down in January. Dreaming is free, Hazard isn’tThe next in line is midfield dynamo Renato Sanches. The Portuguese got the official promise from Lille president Olivier Letang, who assured everybody just two months ago that he would not oppose a possible departure of Renato Sanches, even from January if necessary.“I already told him about it. If an offer comes from a big club, Renato will be able to leave. Let’s see what will happen. For now he is with us and happy to be there” Letang said.But now, according to L’Equipe, the club will do everything in their power to keep Sanches in the club at least until June. Lille managed to pass the group stage and will play Chelsea in the knockout stage of the Champions League, and the club wants to have at least some chance to remain in the hunt for European football next season too. Therefore, they will try to discourage both Arsenal and AC Milan from bidding for Sanches.The man who engineers championship-winning teamsAnd finally, Jonathan Ikone is the main forward target for Lille, along with Jonathan David, but the most likely of the three to go out in January. A few days ago, reports from Italy suggested that a deal has been struck between Lille and Fiorentina for the Canadian forward. But, according to Foot Mercato, there are a few details to be sorted between all parties, while another unnamed club remains a viable destination for the 23-year-old.
