Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Pavel Šulc has shed light on his decision to remain with the French club this summer, confirming he turned down an approach from Italian giants Juventus. The Czech international also revealed interest from English clubs Leeds United and Wrexham, despite Lyon’s management expecting his departure.
Summer Transfer Saga Unpacked
Šulc, now in his second season at Lyon, was a key player in the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing seven assists in 38 matches across all competitions. His strong form, coupled with Lyon’s well-documented financial challenges, led the club to anticipate his exit during the transfer window as they sought to generate funds.
Speaking about the period, Šulc stated, “My departure was entirely expected.” However, he preferred not to be directly involved in the initial stages of potential transfers, explaining, “I asked the directors and the club to give me specific details. I didn’t want to know if any clubs were interested.”
Juventus Offer Deemed Insufficient
While Juventus made a concrete approach, Šulc ultimately found their offer “not attractive enough.” He described the initial contact from the Turin club as “a bit like a dream,” acknowledging the appeal of a big club with a rich history and a strong Czech presence in Italy. However, despite the allure, the terms were not sufficient for a move.
Beyond Juventus, Championship side Leeds United and League Two club Wrexham also expressed interest in the 25-year-old midfielder. Šulc confirmed that clubs had made contact, but noted that financial discussions often stalled. He was informed that interested parties “didn’t want to pay that much,” indicating a gap between Lyon’s valuation or his personal terms and what clubs were willing to offer.
Ultimately, no agreement was reached, and Šulc remained with Les Gones. He received support from captain Corentin Tolisso, who reportedly told him, “If you leave, I’ll understand, but I really hope you’ll stay.”
Current Season Contributions
Having overcome minor fitness issues that affected him earlier in the season, Šulc has since returned to action for Olympique Lyonnais. He has made seven appearances for the club so far this campaign, contributing three assists to his team’s efforts.