The key figure who forced through Tanguy Ndombele's surprise transfer from Tottenham to Lyon

A number of Tottenham fans will be keeping a close eye on Ligue 1 between now and the end of the season following Tanguy Ndombele's loan move to Lyon.

Always expected to depart in January due to a lack of playing time under Antonio Conte and the fact he was training away from the first team in recent weeks, the Frenchman finally got his move on transfer deadline day.

Rather than reuniting with former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain, the 25-year-old instead returned to his former club on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Lyon will pay Tottenham £1.18million to take the French international on loan and they also have the option to make his move permanent come the summer for £54m.

Perhaps a move not many expected given talk of joining up with Lionel Messi and Co in the French capital, the key man in the deal coming to fruition was in fact Ndombele.

Speaking at his unveiling at the Groupama Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, director of football Vincent Ponsot and technical advisor Bruno Cheyrou all opened up about the player's pivotal role in a move many didn't believe was achievable.

"It would have been almost impossible to get him to come. Tanguy made the difference. He showed a real desire to join us. This is important to us," admitted Cheyrou, as reported by Lyon's official website.

"We already know his qualities. We needed a player like that after the departure of Bruno Guimaraes.

"He has continued to progress, to mature. He will bring us a lot through his passing quality, his ability with the ball at his feet. He is one of the best players with the ball under pressure."

Aulas added: “We already have a positive history with Tanguy. When his name came up, it