Gift Orban set to leave Lyon as PSG and Liverpool want Cherki

Reports from France say Olympique Lyonnais striker Gift Orban is close to a move to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.

A report from top football journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed this. 

Since leaving KAA Gent for Lyon in the last winter transfer window, the Nigeria international has struggled to find game time.

Since joining the French giant, he has scored three goals, but he struggled to break into the first team consistently last season.

It has also been a similar tale this campaign, as Georges Mikautadze’s arrival bumped him further down the pecking order.

Due to the sanction handed to them by DNCG, Lyon will be forced to offload players in the upcoming transfer window, and Orban became one of the more obvious candidates. 

The Nigerian striker has made just five appearances this season, including just three starts, netting two goals.

 There is no light at the end of the tunnel for him, as he has been frequently omitted from matchday squads in recent weeks.

According to Romano, the former Gent striker is now set to depart, and Hoffenheim are in advanced talks to sign him.

Meanwhile, it is yet to be known what form of move it would be, either a loan or a permanent transfer. 

In a related development, Lyon may also sell Rayan Cherki in the coming window or next summer.

According to a report from Foot Mercato, the talented midfielder is on the radar of Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

Cherki is in the final year of his contract, and both parties have yet to reach an agreement, leading to the French youth international’s ostracisation at the start of the season.

Amid the contract standoff, he extended by a further year, allowing his reintegration. 

Since breaking through as a teenager, he has netted five goals and registered seven assists in 17 matches.

The Frenchman may leave the club in January so that the club can earn some cash through his sale.

 

Although OL is reportedly keen to retain Cherki, they may have little choice as they are being forced to raise funds this January following a provisional relegation to Ligue 2.