Lens submit an offer for Lyon’s Gift Orban, as Brighton monitor Tolisso

RC Lens have submitted an offer for Olympique Lyonnais forward Gift Orban, and Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion have inquired about Corentin Tolisso.

A report from L’Équipe said the bid, however, does not meet OL’s valuation of the player.

Lyon will no doubt have to sell players this January after being handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the DNCG in November in order to avoid that fate. This means they must sell players before the end of the campaign.

Orban, who joined the Ligue 1 side from Genk, is one of the players earmarked for a departure, and there is interest in the striker, who has been on the periphery at the club ever since his arrival last January for a fee of €14m.

 Lyon want  €12m for the Nigerian striker, and Hoffenheim have a strong interest in the player and have already submitted two bids, the latter worth €10m.

L’Équipe reported that Lens is also interested and submitted a bid of their own on Monday. Although the value of the offer has not been revealed, it was gathered that it is below Lyon’s valuation.

In a related development, the French media reported that Brighton is monitoring Tolisso.

Lyon are further prohibited from recruiting in January in order to satisfy the DNCG’s demands. They will be forced to sell during the upcoming transfer window if they are to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of the campaign.

Lyon could also sell Maxence Caqueret, Saïd Benrahma, and Ernest Nuamah.

Although these are young players, the experienced players also garner interest. Brighton want to add an experienced midfielder to their ranks next month, and Tolisso fits the bill. 

The Premier League side has made an inquiry about the feasibility of a deal, not only with the player but also with the French club. 

However, as things stand, it looks more likely that the former Bayern Munich midfielder will remain with his formative club, with the player keen to stay at the Groupama Stadium. 

The Frenchman will nonetheless be flattered by the interest shown in him by Brighton, but the finances of a deal could also prove a sticking point for Brighton, whose contract is worth €600,000 a month and runs until 2027.