Bayer 04 Leverkusen has confirmed its latest acquisition for next season: Afonso Moreira, from Olympique Lyon. To secure the left winger, the Bundesliga team prepared a transfer package totaling 33.6 million euros.
In the context of the search for a new coach, which culminated in the hiring of Carles Martinez, and the recent acquisition of Hertha talent, Kennet Eichhorn, Bayer directors went ahead with this agreement that has now come to fruition. Afonso Moreira signs a contract that binds him to the club until 2031.
According to Olympique's statement, the transfer package for the 21-year-old includes a fixed sum and bonuses, totaling 33.6 million euros, of which 4.1 million are potential bonuses. It is important to note that Lyon must pay 20% of the transfer proceeds to Sporting Lisbon, who have guaranteed a percentage of the future sale in 2025. Moreira, who played mainly for Lyon's B team, made just one appearance in his country's top flight.
If Leverkusen decides to sell Moreira for a higher price in the future, Lyon will receive an additional 10% of the profit made. This move was already expected, as Lyon needed to carry out a significant sale by the end of June, due to pressure from the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control), the financial regulatory body of Ligue 1.
The contract was facilitated by Lyon's need to offload players and the club had already been active in the search for a replacement for Moreira, targeting Dortmund player Julien Duranville. With the signing of the Portuguese under-21 international, who has already made two appearances for the national team, Bayer guarantees a very fast left winger, who can also occasionally play as a second striker.
Moreira, a right-handed player who transferred from Sporting, where he played for the B team, to Lyon a year ago for 2 million euros, stood out by scoring 8 goals and providing 11 assists in 37 league, cup and Europa League games. At 1.76 meters, he is known for his intensity and work capacity, and at Leverkusen he could also be an option on the right flank if necessary.
"Afonso Moreira is a fast, agile and skillful player, with a good shot and an excellent vision of the game," said Simon Rolfes, Bayer's sporting director, in an official statement. "His speed and intense style of play fits perfectly into our team. With Afonso, we gain more power and creativity in attack. We are excited to have such a promising and developing player in our team," concluded Rolfes.