Lille manager Bruno Genesio has expressed his disappointment over the club’s lack of winter transfer activity, admitting he had hoped for more reinforcements beyond the loan signing of Chuba Akpom, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Arsenal forward, 29, joined Lille on loan from Ajax with an option to buy, arriving as a direct replacement for Mohamed Bayo, who departed for Royal Antwerp.
Lille’s newest weapon – Chuba Akpom joins Les Dogues! ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/SyBIa9vK4R
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 2, 2025
Akpom, who has scored eight goals for Ajax this season — including four in the Europa League — made his debut for Lille in midweek but endured a frustrating start as Les Dogues crashed out of the Coupe de France, losing to Ligue 2 side Dunkerque on penalties.
While Akpom’s arrival bolsters Lille’s attacking options, Genesio remains concerned about squad depth, particularly in defence.
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The club had initially targeted three signings, including a centre-back, but failed to secure the services of Luca Jaquez, who instead joined Stuttgart.
“Initially, we had actually counted three arrivals, including the recruitment of a striker with the departure of Momo (Bayo),” Genesio explained as per Le 11 Hdf.
“We had targeted a player who has since signed for Stuttgart (Luca Jaquez) to strengthen our central defence, where we have little depth. It turns out that this deal was not done at the last moment and that we did not recruit this player that I considered necessary, indeed.
“I don’t know the reasons. The squad is constituted and definitive until the end of the season; it’s up to us to get the most out of it. But we would have liked the Luca Jaquez deal to be successful.”
Lille’s defensive situation remains precarious, with Genesio relying on just three senior centre-backs—Bafodé Diakité, Alexsandro, and Aïssa Mandi—while Thomas Meunier, a right-back, provides emergency cover.
“I would have liked to have an additional player in defence,” Genesio admitted. “It could be detrimental to us, but that’s the story of the winter transfer window.”
Despite financial stability and a significant Champions League windfall, Lille opted against further spending. Genesio, however, remains hopeful that his squad will cope with the challenges ahead.
I’ve been waiting to play for Nigeria since 2019- Chuba Akpom. pic.twitter.com/xfsHC99gii
— Oma Akatugba (@omaakatugba) January 31, 2025
“We have a very, very good squad with an irreproachable state of mind,” he added.
“There is a position that has been decided with Chuba Akpom who has joined us. It’s true that we would have preferred to have an additional player in the centre. If it’s for financial reasons or others, I don’t have the answer.”
Looking ahead, Genesio can only hope that Lille’s lack of defensive depth does not come back to haunt them.
“I hope that we will not have to regret not having been able to get this player in the winter transfer window,” he concluded. “We will know in the coming days.”
Committed to Nigeria since 2019, Akpom could become a key player for the Super Eagles under new head coach Eric Chelle.
The former England youth international could be a quality option in an attack that already boast the talents of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen.