Everton are interested in the transfer of Lyon star Moussa Dembele. But the forward is not yet inclined to accept Frank Lampard’s offer of a move from Ligue 1 in the January market.
That is according to Jeunes Footeux, which reports the striker does not look at a switch to the Toffees positively. He baulks at embarking on a new mission with a team engulfed in a relegation fight. The Goodison Park natives currently sit 19th in the Premier League table.
Lampard would need to convince Dembele to consider any potential transfer to Everton if he is to leave Lyon. The Blues boss also faces a fight to tempt the 26-year-old to leave the Groupama Stadium in January. He currently favours considering his future in the summer.
Dembele will be a free agent come June 30 when his £52k-a-week contract with Les Gones expires. He would much rather wait for that eventuality so that the ex-France U21 star can consider his options quietly. Although Dembele has not totally ruled out leaving in January.
Only a very enticing offer could convince Dembele to move in the mid-season market after four-and-a-half-years with Lyon. The Ligue 1 side tempted the striker back to France from Celtic in 2018 for £20m. He penned a five-year contract to leave Parkhead after two years.
Everton had hoped to seal Moussa Dembele’s transfer from Lyon this summer
Everton are considering Dembele’s transfer from Lyon in January to strengthen Lampard’s attacking options, nonetheless. Les Gones are also hopeful of selling the striker in January to recoup, at least, a few million euros. He has also fallen out of favour at the Ligue 1 side.
Laurent Blanc has shunned the forward to a backup role since replacing Peter Bosz at the Groupama Stadium. Dembele had started to re-establish himself under Bosz earlier in the season following an injury. But he has now not featured in their past two top-flight games.
Dembele is also yet to score under Blanc after netting his two goals in 14 Ligue 1 games so far this season during Bosz’s tenure. Yet Lampard appreciates what the striker could bring to Merseyside. Foot Mercato has also cited the Toffees’ interest in his possible availability.
It further notes that several teams are considering raids on the Groupama Stadium for the former Fulham gem. But Everton are moving with intent to sign the ex-Paris Saint-Germain academy talent from Lyon having initially hoped to target Dembele’s transfer this summer.
Given Dembele’s contractual situation in France’s Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon will demand €8-10m (£7-9m) for his transfer, per Media Foot. The striker is also seeking a deal worth €3.5m-a-year (£59k-a/w) to join one of his many suitors, which include Galatasaray.
Media Foot further notes that Aston Villa and Manchester United expressed an interest in Dembele’s transfer from Lyon recently. But Galatasaray led the race for his signature after offering Les Gones €5m (£4.5m). But Lyon flat-out rejected the Super Lig outfit’s proposal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
