Media Foot report Lyon are set to lure Dejan Lovren back to the club from Zenit St. Petersburg on a free transfer, but did consider a move to sign Liverpool defender Joel Matip before striking an agreement for Lovren this month.
Lovren, 33, impressed at the World Cup with Croatia. Forming a solid partnership with in-demand Josko Gvardiol in the middle of the Croatia defence, they reached the semi-finals and won the third-place play-off. Lovren is now off to Lyon.
His deal at Zenit ends at the end of the season but has been given the green light to return to Lyon. A club he played for for almost four years, clocking up 102 appearances in all competitions. Laurent Blanc is set to make his first signing.
But, Blanc almost raided Liverpool for Matip, before signing Lovren. It is claimed Lyon did a check on the possibility of landing Matip – and AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer – before moving for Lovren. Matip has a contract at Anfield until 2024.
Lyon considered move to sign Liverpool defender Matip before Lovren
A wonderful move for Lovren, who returns to one of Europe’s top-five leagues and to a club he knows well. But, it would have also been a good transfer for Matip – who finds himself being transitioned out of the Reds’ starting XI.
This season, he has managed just 11 appearances in all competitions. Injuries and competition from the likes of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate has limited his playing time. He is unlikely to earn a new deal at Liverpool going forward.
Lyon would have been a decent move for Matip. The chances are, he would have been handed a three-year deal. A platform to continue to play in a side pushing for Champions League football. Instead, Lyon have brought Lovren back.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
