Financial Crisis at Villeurbanne Spurs Star Players Back to Transfer Market

Villeurbanne began the summer aiming to transform from a modest team into a top EuroLeague contender, but the project has faltered within weeks. Tony Parker and his investors failed to provide the necessary guarantees for the planned €59 million budget, forcing the club to reduce its budget to around €24 million and player salaries to approximately €10 million. This financial setback is prompting many star players who had already signed with Villeurbanne to reconsider and return to the transfer market.

Sylvain Francisco has already secured a move to Panathinaikos, joining coach Željko Obradović’s star-studded squad. Other notable players expected to re-enter the market include Armani Brooks, who had a breakout season with Milan and signed a €2.5 million contract with Villeurbanne. Reports indicate Real Madrid and Partizan Belgrade are ready to pursue him if he leaves, with Milan possibly rejoining the race.

Nick Weiler-Babb, who averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 assists last season with Anadolu Efes, also faces uncertainty about his future at Villeurbanne. Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv has initiated contact with Tony Parker regarding Weiler-Babb, with preliminary talks ongoing. Joel Bolomboy, a center plagued by injuries but still sought after, signed a €2 million contract with Villeurbanne but has not been officially announced due to the club’s financial issues. Parker reportedly offered Bolomboy to Hapoel Tel Aviv, but no progress has been made.

Similarly, Daniel Theis, who left Monaco after averaging 9.7 points and 5 rebounds last season, has not been officially confirmed by Villeurbanne. Parker also proposed Theis to Hapoel Tel Aviv, but the club has shown no interest so far. Theis’s promised salary in France is about €1.7 million per season. The financial instability at Villeurbanne is causing a significant reshuffle in the EuroLeague player market just as the season approaches.