Bordeaux are expected to “accept” a French Olympic committee ruling that will keep them in Ligue 2 next season as Rangers are handed a boost in the club’s pursuit of Josh Maja.
The latest reports in France have also claimed that the club need to raise €40m, or the bones of £35m, as they prepare to go in front of yet another court in the French Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG).
Firstly, French Football Weekly are reporting that Bordeaux presented their Ligue 2 end of season punishment case to the French Olympic Committee on Friday last week.
Whilst the ruling hasn’t been announced at the time of writing, they claim that Bordeaux have began “accepting” they won’t be promoted to Ligue 1 next season amid a cloud of controversy.
Rangers handed Bordeaux Josh Maja boost
The French side saw their final game of the season with Rodez abandoned after a fan invaded the pitch and assaulted a rival player, with Rodez being awarded the victory and Bordeaux facing a point deduction next season as well as a four-game stand closure.
This had huge implications in the promotion and relegation races in Ligue 2, with Bordeaux missing out on promotion to Metz and Rodez retaining their status in the French second flight.
This impacts Rangers and their pursuit of Josh Maja because – at least according to reports – the French side hold the option of extending the out-of-contract striker’s deal in the event of promotion.
Now that the French Olympic Committee are expected to provide a final ruling against Bordeaux, it would suggest Rangers are now free to go an negotiate a deal with the ex-Sunderland striker. Interest in Maja from Rangers is said to be legitimate.
Bordeaux also face £35m financial pressure
On top of all this, reports in France have suggested that Bordeaux have to come up with £35m by today (Wednesday 28th June) or risk sanctions from the DNCG.
This is a financial body “responsible for monitoring and overseeing the accounts of professional association football clubs in France” and is an extension of the LFP.
According to French journalist Clement Carpentier, the money will likely have to come from Gerard Lopez himself or from the sales of several high profile players.
The thread reads:
“The Girondins must find 40 million euros by Wednesday and their passage before the DNCG to complete their budget for next season. The case is progressing slowly. Mission difficult but not impossible.
“Two solutions on the table. Gérard Lopez himself reinjects this money (confident entourage even if no one has ever put such a sum for an L2 club) or player sales (Bakwa, Ignatenko and/or Bokele). There will be no new investors.”
One of those who will now not recoup a fee is Josh Maja, with Rangers free to move as the club continue to be linked to a host of attacking options.
The latest suggests a loan deal for Brighton attacker Abdallah Sima is close, whilst Rangers are also linked with a move for Feyenoord forward Danilo.
