According to L’Equipe, striker Moussa Dembele has no intention of returning to Lyon amid links to Arsenal.
It’s claimed that Atletico Madrid don’t intend to sign Dembele permanently this summer after the expiration of his loan deal.
Atletico can sign him full-time for €33million (£28.5million), but after making just five substitute appearances and no starts in La Liga, that won’t be happening.
That means Dembele is heading back to Lyon, but don’t expect him to stay there.
Its’ claimed that Dembele doesn’t want to play for Lyon again and will instead seek a move elsewhere if Atleti don’t want him.
This could play perfectly into Arsenal’s hands; The Telegraph report that the Gunners have explored signing Dembele this summer to bolster their attack.
Atleti don’t want Dembele, and he doesn’t want Lyon. A move this sumner looks inevitable, and it may come for cheaper than the £28.5million price tag due to his desire to move.
Would Dembele really help Arsenal though? In the first half of the season, he only managed one goal in 16 appearances for Lyon, which isn’t good enough for a striker compared to Didier Drogba by both Chris Sutton and Brendan Rodgers.
If Arsenal are to bring in another striker, they need to be a goalscorer to provide the Gunners with a threat for years, long after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette hve gone.
Dembele may well be available, but whether or not he’s actually the right man for that role is up for debate.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
