The sacking of Frank Lampard could see Everton miss out on Lyon striker Moussa Dembele in a potential boost to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, according to FootMercato.
While Arnaut Danjuma appears to have been put off by all the uncertainty at Goodison Park – deciding against joining a now-managerless Everton side in favour of Tottenham Hotspur – a repeat scenario appears to be unfurling with Dembele.
The former Fulham, PSG and Celtic striker, the report adds, was keen on a January move to Merseyside.
The presence of Lampard on the Everton touchline, however, was ‘fundamental’ in Dembele’s decision; the former France U21 international convinced about the prospects of a return to the UK following talks with the one-time Chelsea boss.
Lampard’s departure, then, leaves the future of both Everton and Dembele up in the air.
Everton and Aston Villa are keen on Lyon’s Ligue 1 striker Moussa Dembele
Lyon’s 26-year-old number nine is out of contract in the summer. Dembele is certain to leave the Stade OL for a fraction of the £19 million fee Lyon paid Celtic back in 2018, though it remains to be seen if any of his admirers are willing to stump up even a knock-down fee a player due to become a free-agent in just five months’ time.
FootMercato say that Aston Villa were initially planning to sign Dembele when his contract runs out on July 1st. Danny Ings’ £12 million move to West Ham United might just alter their stance, however; Ollie Watkins now the only proven, first-team centre-forward at Unai Emery’s disposal.
Villa paid a handsome £18 million for Chicago Fire forward Jhon Duran last week. But the Colombia international is just 19. And Emery may have reservations about throwing him straight in at the deep end before he’s learned to paddle.
‘He has wonderful talent’
Dembele, a La Liga champion during a loan spell with Atletico Madrid, has two goals in 16 games this term. A tally of 22 from 36 matches in 2021/22, however, is proof of the havoc Dembele can wreak when fully fit and presented with a steady stream of chances.
“I see the basics in him,” former Villa ace Dean Saunders told the Sunday Post during Dembele’s trophy-laden Celtic stint. “He works hard, and he helps his team-mates by dropping off or running into a channel. Dembele’s work-rate (is) first-class.
“He has wonderful talent, and also the ability to create chances for himself. He will work hard to turn a nothing situation into a goalscoring chance. He’s quick and strong. So, yes, he has lots going for him.
“He scores all types of goals; from 20-yarders to the most simple of efforts from three yards out. He has clever movement and links the play very well.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
