Chelsea are planning to make a last-gasp attempt to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembélé before the close of the transfer window.
The Blues are interested in recruiting an additional striker to lessen the goal burden placed on (the possibly injured) Tammy Abraham and Dembélé fits the bill - having scored on 15 occasions in all competitions this season.
The club had a €40m bid turned down for the 23-year-old at the beginning of the month and Get French Football News have reported that they will table another offer for the player in 'the final hours' of the current transfer window.
Lyon took the surprising step of issuing a public hands-off warning to clubs interested in their star man after the Blues' submitted their opening bid.
"Olympique Lyonnais has taken note of certain information relayed by the media suggesting that Moussa Dembélé could interest other clubs during this transfer window," a statement posted on their official website began.
"OL would like to reaffirm its wish, as in the summer of 2019, to keep Moussa Dembélé. The club has full confidence in Moussa and counts in particular on him to build a successful team for the seasons to come."
This statement was reinforced by comments by Lyon's president Jean-Michel Aulas that claimed the former Celtic man wanted to remain at the Groupama Stadium.
Dembélé is understood to have 'accepted the club's decision and has not agitated for a move away from the Ligue 1 side. However, a last minute bid from Chelsea could test Lyon's resolve to keep the player.
Frank Lampard conceded after his side's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday that the Blues were indeed looking for offensive reinforcements, saying: "You can’t say we will definitely sign a striker but we are looking. If you don’t score enough goals you won’t win enough games."
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Source :
90min
