French side Clermont Foot have rejected an offer from LOSC Lille for star striker Mohamed Bayo, with Everton and Tottenham also interested in signing the Ligue 1 attacker.
According to Foot Mercato, the 2021 French champions lodged an €11m (£9m) bid for the 24-year-old forward. However, Lille’s bid was rejected by Clermont with Les Lanciers demanding at least €14m (£12m), with Bayo keen to sign for a bigger club this summer.
As per the report, Lille are expected to come back with another offer to sign Bayo, who last season was one of Ligue 1’s breakout stars as the striker bagged 14 goals and provided another five, drawing interest from both France and the Premier League, with Everton and Tottenham reportedly interested in the forward, along with West Ham.
Comparing himself to Swedish footballing legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bayo is a striker who is not short of confidence, and his fantastic year in Ligue 1 last season could see the forward best his 14-goal tally in the following campaign regardless of who he signs for.
Indeed, Bayo would be a great Premier League signing for most clubs, but with Lille pushing hard to sign the Guniea international, the likes of Everton and Tottenham could miss out on the 24-year-old attacker despite how good a potential deal could be.
Lille will now push hard to sign Bayo over Everton and Tottenham
With Sven Botman leaving for Newcastle United and Renato Sanches set to join PSG, Lille have plenty of work to do this summer and a good amount of funds to sign some quality players, which is why the French side will now be pushing hard to beat Everton and Tottenham to Bayo’s signature.
After all, Lille could do with some more firepower next season to ease the burden on Jonathan David, and Bayo could be the ideal summer addition given his record last year and the relatively low asking price Clermont have set for the 24-year-old attacker.
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