Manchester United have been jolted in pursuit of Moussa Dembele, with Chelsea reportedly having the first refusal for the Lyon striker.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Chelsea have the first option on Moussa Dembele, who could be on the move in the summer transfer window. The French striker, who is valued at £60 million by Lyon, is also the subject of interest from Manchester United.
Moussa Dembele has made huge strides in his career in the last few years, showing exactly why he is a player who has been highly rated for some time now. The French international was in a league of his own at Celtic and has only gone from strength to strength since making the switch to Lyon in the summer of 2018.
In 88 appearances for Les Gones, Dembele has a decent rate of 42 goals and 13 assists, with each direct contribution to a goal coming every 112 minutes. His progress at Lyon has not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly showing an interest.
At Chelsea, Tammy Abraham has been a revelation this season. Beyond the Englishman, though, Frank Lampard has precious little to choose from. Olivier Giroud stepped up well before football was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, but the Frenchman’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain.
Michy Batshuayi has failed to deliver in the absence of Abraham and is unlikely to be a frontline option next term. As a result, Dembele is a viable target for Chelsea. Manchester United, on the other hand, appear to be in search of a striker to finally replace Romelu Lukaku.
Anthony Martial has excelled this season, but has been inconsistent at times. Mason Greenwood is one for the future, but the young Englishman is unlikely to be a regular striker anytime soon. Odion Ighalo has impressed while on-loan at Old Trafford, although it remains to be seen if the Nigerian is signed by Manchester United on a permanent deal in the summer.
Amid such uncertainty, Manchester United have been linked with a number of strikers over a move in the summer, with Dembele also on their radar. Manchester United, though, have been handed a major blow in pursuit of the French striker, with Daily Mail suggesting that Chelsea have the first refusal on him.
Currently valued at £60 million by Lyon, Dembele would represent a fine long-term solution for any club he joins. For now, though, it looks like Chelsea have the upper hand over Manchester United to secure the services of the 23-year-old.
