The French club are said to be plotting a move for the highly-rated 21 year old striker
Chelsea’s Bertrand Traore, who’s currently on loan with Ajax, has attracted the attentions of Lique 1 outfit, Lyon, according to French outlet, Foot Mercato (h/t The Sun), with the French club set approach the young striker for a permanent move at the end of the season.
The reports suggests Lyon’s head of recruitment, Florian Maurice, has been closely monitoring the progress of Bertrand Traore for a while and was in attendance for Ajax’s visit to AZ Alkmaar, a match in which the Chelsea loanee scored.
Lyon’s owner Jean-Michel Aulas had recently spoken regarding the club’s strategy for the upcoming transfer windows, stating they plan to explore more markets and countries in search of signing young promising prospects. As such, Bertand Traore fits perfectly to the profile of players the club is reaching out for.
Bertrand Traore had recently burst out his frustration at not breaking through Chelsea’s first team, questioning the the London club’s checkered record of promoting the younger players and stating how he couldn’t get around the decision of being loaned to Ajax for a season.
“I felt, and feel, that I am ready for Chelsea. I did not see the loan’s overall (picture). Why did I play so much in pre-season?” exclaimed Traore.
The striker continued, “Why do young players get no real chance at Chelsea? It’s good for the composition of the squad if it is also home to a couple of talented youngsters.”
While Bertand Traore frustration is understandable, it must be added Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has shown he’s willing to give opportunities to the deserving players, as witnessed with Nathaniel Chalobah and Ola Aina.
If Traore finishes off the season strongly, he is most definitely going to be in Conte’s plans for next season. For now, it does look Lyon would have to come up with a rather special offer to even make Chelsea think about selling one of their crown jewels.
