In the summer, Olympique Lyonnais reportedly attempted to involve Hugo Ekitiké (21) in the deal that saw Bradley Barcola (21) move to Paris Saint-Germain and L’Équipe now report Les Gones could once again return to sign the out-of-favour forward in January.
Ekitiké has not featured for PSG since the opening day of the season. The former Stade de Reims forward has been ostracised for his refusal to be involved in the deal that saw Randal Kolo Muani join from Eintracht Frankfurt. Whilst that move was ultimately completed without his involvement, albeit with just minutes to spare, Ekitiké infuriated the hierarchy at the club, and his future seemingly does not lie at the Parc des Princes.
Whilst The Standard have reported interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the French forward, Lyon could offer him the chance to remain in France. OL have been given the green light from the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, to spend in January, and with the club at serious threat of relegation, they intend to spend big, with RMC Sport reporting that they could spend as much as €50m in January.
Alexandre Lacazette’s future uncertain
One of the positions being targeted is the striker position. Alexandre Lacazette, who has just three goals this season, looks incapable of reproducing the form that saw him challenge Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot last season. Le Progrès have reported that Lyon may even consider selling the former Arsenal striker in January.
Regardless of whether Lacazette stays or goes, Lyon want to increase the competition up-front and the versatile profile of Ekitiké could be explored once again this winter.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
