Premier League newcomers Fulham have been handed a boost in their pursuit of France international Leo Dubois as Lyon coach Peter Bosz confirms that players will be sold before the summer is out, speaking to RMC.
With Neco Williams on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest in a £16 million deal, Marco Silva is looking elsewhere for a new right-back.
A bid has been launched for Wolfsburg’s Kevin Mbabu. Free-agent Djibril Sidibe is another option.
27-year-old Dubois, however, is perhaps the most intriguing option. Capped 12 times by the French national team and the captain of one of Ligue 1’s biggest clubs, Dubois lost his place in Bosz’s starting XI towards the end of last season. That is less a reflection on him, however, and more down to the sudden emergence of the outstanding 19-year-old Malo Gusto.
Fulham want Lyon skipper Leo Dubois
“Malo was exceptional,” explains Lyon chief Bruno Cheyrou. “It’s difficult vis-a-vis (Dubois’) status and his age to imagine him as a back up.
“We have to find the right compromise between protecting our interests and allowing him to pursue his career.”
In other words, Lyon will let Dubois go for the right offer. The former Nantes defender – an excellent crosser of the ball and a diligent defender – is keen on a fresh start too. Regular first-team football is a must if he is to get into Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad after all.
According to L’Equipe, Fulham have failed with a loan bid. Come up with a £6 million cash offer, however, and Lyon may be willing to do business.
“It’s me who decides, right?,” Bosz said when asked about Dubois’ future on Thursday. “It’s me who decides (whether or not he’ll stay). We’ll see.”
Pressed further on the need to trim the fat from a bloated Lyon squad, the former Ajax coach admitted that sales are required.
“Yes, it will happen. Of course, there are players who will leave,” Bosz says. “It is necessary too. I had 30 players on Thursday, 34 even with the goalkeepers. It was too much.
“So there are players who will leave.”
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