Olympique Lyon are reportedly set to rival Real Madrid in pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso, who will be a free agent in the summer.
According to French publication L’Equipe, as relayed by Fichajes, Real Madrid are set to face serious competition from Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyon in the race to sign Bayern Munich star Corentin Tolisso.
The 27-year-old came through the youth ranks at Lyon and established himself as one of the finest midfielders in Ligue 1 with Les Gones. After making 160 appearances for the club, Tolisso moved to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017 but has endured a difficult time in Bavaria due to injury issues.
While he has shown his quality when fit and available, the French international has had numerous injury problems which have held him back. In four and a half years at the club, the 27-year-old has managed to make 111 appearances, chalking up 21 goals and 15 assists.
While he was not favoured much early in the season by current manager Julian Nagelsmann, injury issues to other midfielders have led to Tolisso getting a prolonged run in the side, and he has done fairly well. However, the Frenchman will be out of contract at the end of the ongoing campaign and is widely expected to leave the Allianz Arena.
Real Madrid have emerged as his strongest suitors heading into the summer transfer window. The Merengues have tasted success with the Bosman signing of another former Bayern Munich star, David Alaba, last year. They are keen on repeating the tactic by moving in on Tolisso as well.
Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be pushing Los Blancos to sign the 27-year-old after working with him during his time as manager of Bayern Munich. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are not getting any younger, whereas Isco and Dani Ceballos are expected to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer. It would open up spaces in the midfield department, which Real Madrid intend to fill with Tolisso’s capture.
However, they are now set to face competition from the midfielder’s boyhood club Lyon. The French heavyweights are going through a difficult phase financially and on the pitch. They are having to be prudent in the market, which has led to them considering free transfer swoops for multiple players like Tolisso and his former Lyon teammate Alexandre Lacazette.
The lure of playing for Real Madrid is sure to appeal for Tolisso. However, he is likely to feature more regularly at Lyon than in the Spanish capital, which could have a say in his final decision. It remains to be seen which destination the 27-year-old chooses for himself when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
