At just 20 years old, the Cameroonian midfielder is Lorient’s most valuable asset. But if the club fails to earn promotion to Ligue 1, they could lose him for free — a financial and sporting disaster for the Breton club.
Arthur Avom Ebong is only 20 years old, yet he has already established himself as the engine of Lorient’s midfield. The Cameroonian international has made 30 appearances out of a possible 32 this season — an 81% starting rate — making him one of the most consistent players in the French second division. His market value is estimated at between €7 million and €9 million, the highest at the club, and his name is already being whispered in transfer circles as a prime target for Ligue 1 sides. Quiet but ever-present, Avom Ebong is the face of a Lorient side desperately chasing promotion.
The problem? If FC Lorient fails to secure promotion to Ligue 1, the contract extension clause included in his deal will not be triggered. The club would then face a nightmare scenario: losing their most bankable player for absolutely nothing in transfer fees. For a Breton club with fragile finances, this is far more than a sporting setback — it is a ticking economic time bomb. Africa’s next big star, and Lorient may not see a single euro for him.