Jonathan Johnson has claimed that there is a chance that Arsenal transfer target, Moussa Dembele, leaves Lyon before next week’s transfer deadline day.
The Ligue 1 expert told Sky Sports News that Lyon would ‘rather cash in on Dembele’ this summer, but the player himself would rather leave for nothing in 12 months.
Ironically enough, the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette, who left Arsenal this summer, has pushed Dembele down the pecking order at Lyon.
It has seen a host of clubs, including Arsenal looking at the possibility of signing him this summer, with the transfer fee of £25 million being muted.
France football expert Johnson thinks the next club to land Dembele’s signature would be securing a ‘good capture’ from Ligue 1.
“I think it definitely is a possibility (Dembele leaves Lyon),” said Johnson. “I think Lyon would rather cash in on him now, rather than lose him for free next summer.
“It sounds like the player would rather see out his contract, and then leave as a free agent next summer. But given the limited amount of game time he might have now that Alexander Lacazette is back in the fold for OL, I definitely think it is a possibility, if the right offer comes in.
“I think there are a number of clubs that are looking at Dembele as perhaps a good capture from now until the end of the transfer window, especially remember him from his time in England with Fulham and then Celtic in Scotland.”
DO ARSENAL NEED ANOTHER FORWARD?
Gabriel Jesus was Arsenal’s main capture this summer and the Brazil star has started life at Arsenal in fine fashion, but does Mikel Arteta need another striker?
Eddie Nketiah is the man behind Jesus, and whilst he has a lot of promise, there is no doubt that Dembele would be an upgrade on the Hale End academy product.
Dembele, who Kieran Tierney once dubbed as ‘brilliant’ after playing alongside him at Celtic, would work in Arsenal colours because they are in Europe and the Frenchman could play alongside as well as instead of Jesus.
But perhaps Arteta is better off looking for a right-sided attacker to help out Bukayo Saka or another number eight option in the middle of the park.
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