Premier League clubs on the hunt for Lyon’s £30 million forward Dembele
Lyon’s maverick forward Moussa Dembele is a man in demand with at least two Premier League sides in contention for his signature in the January window.
The Frenchman was one of the continent’s most in-demand young forwards just under two years ago at Celtic, where he established himself as one of Europe’s premier marksmen.
Lyon fought off heavy competition from some of football’s continental heavyweights for Moussa Dembele – including local juggernauts PSG – to his signature, and seemed justified in shelling out a significant fee for Dembele following his stellar debut campaign.
In his first year at the Groupama Stadium, he bagged 16 league goals in an underwhelming campaign for Lyon, a quite tremendous return for a striker so young.
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This season, however, has been a startlingly different story, with the former Fulham man struggling for game time, forced to settle for increasingly sporadic cameos off the bench. Touted before the season as a challenger for the league’s golden boot, Dembele is instead yet to open his account for this season from 11 league appearances.
Now, two Premier League sides are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements – Manchester United and West Ham – are both keen on the 24-year-old, and will reportedly look to make a move in the upcoming winter window.
Dembele won’t come cheap, however, despite his drastic dip in form, and is valued at just over 35 million pounds by Transfermarkt – indicating a possible fee will likely be more than that. United have been long time admirers of the Frenchman, since his breakthrough as a youngster at Fulham – although they are relatively well-stocked in the forward department.
West Ham, meanwhile, are reported to be interested in him to strengthen their threadbare striking ranks – with top scorer Michail Antonio injured, and the oft out-of-form Sebastian Haller the only other senior striker in the squad.
"West Ham are tracking Lyon striker Moussa Dembele, according to France Football.David Moyes is weighing up a January swoop for the Frenchman, who could be available for around £30 million ($40m). (Via: beinsports.com)"
Both sides strengthened little in the summer window past, when compared with their immediate rivals, and therefore might be in a position to spend significantly in January.
dark. Next. Improving Haller gives Moyes tactical flexibility
However, question marks have risen anew if Dembele, badly out of form and confidence, is worth such a large outlay – particularly in the post-pandemic market.
It remains to be seen who, if any club at all, will pull the trigger and take a chance on a player still young enough to fulfil his seemingly endless potential.