Robin Bairner, Chief Editor of FootballTransfers.com, admits the shared ownership of the two clubs led by American investor Bill Foley has been a smooth transition.
FC Lorient President, Loic Ferry, sold a third of the club to the Black Knight Football and Entertainment group in January 2023.
In an interview with Buzz News, Bairner said: “The ethos of the two men when it comes to developing football clubs appears to be very similar, with the American able to provide more financial muscle.”
“This has led to deals being conducted between the teams, with Ouattara notably joining Bournemouth while Romain Faivre moved in the opposite direction, albeit on loan. It would be surprising if more such deals did not take place in the future.”
Since signing for the Cherries at the start of 2023, the 22-year-old has scored eight goals, and recently registered his first hatrick in the Premier League in a 5-0 win against high-flying Nottingham Forest.
Going into more detail about the Burkina Faso international player, Bairner reflected on his journey through the ranks at the French side: “Ouattara joined Lorient when he was little more than a kid and initially had to work his way through the reserve team playing in what are effectively part-time leagues before featuring for their first team.
“He wasn’t an instant success at the top level, but it was clear he had the raw attributes to improve due to his pace, directness and willingness to take on players. This made him a dangerous threat and earmarked him as one to watch.”
Finishing with: “Things started to come together in his second season at the club. He recorded six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 before joining Bournemouth, and while the majority of these came in a thrilling burst early in the campaign, it was clearly enough to persuade the Cherries of his talents.”
With both clubs enjoying strong league campaigns respectively, you would have to say the partnership has been another success for Bill Foley and the Black Knight group.
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