Lyon have posted on their official Twitter account the transfer of Karl Toko Ekambi who had Newcastle United and West Ham United links earlier this year.
The former Villarreal striker headed for a Spanish exit in January.
A report by el periódico mediterraneo claimed both Newcastle and West Ham were offered the chance to sign Ekambi with Villarreal seeking around £21 million.
The Premier League duo were desperate for attacking reinforcements at the time.
But it was French side Lyon who ultimately moved for the Cameroon international.
Lyon signed Ekambi on loan until the end of the season. However, with the French league ending prematurely due to Covid-19, the club have now exercised their buyout option.
The 27-year-old has penned a four-year deal with the club.
It means Newcastle and West Ham can focus on other targets once the season is over.
The Premier League is due to restart on June 17, and both clubs still have plenty to play for especially West Ham who are in immediate danger of relegation.
The Hammers are just outside the bottom three on goal difference. Scoring has been a problem for West Ham this season despite Sebastian Haller’s best intentions.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are eight points clear of the bottom three.
But the Magpies are the joint-lowest scorers in the top-flight. Summer signing Joelinton has found the net just once for Steve Bruce’s side.
Both clubs will surely be in the market for a new striker this summer. But, Ekambi is no longer an option as he looks to make his Lyon switch a successful one.
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