As Chelsea begin to prepare for the departures of N'Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly, Olympique Lyonnais have reportedly opened up a fire sale – and some rough diamonds are in the shop window. Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with the difficult job of trimming down a bloated squad this summer and, while he needs to flog a few players, the 51-year-old remains keen to further bolster his options.
The Blues have been heavily linked with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia this summer, with Cristopher Nkunku expected to follow. But, now, Pochettino has been handed the unique opportunity to raid one of the most formidable clubs in France.
Lyon were taken over by a United States investor named John Textor at the end of last year, with the 57-year-old since becoming the club's president. And, according to RMC Sport, Les Gones need to raise £111million to avoid sanctions from the Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion, the organisation which oversees the accounts of French football clubs.
With Lyon desperate to generate some funds, several players have been made available for transfers this summer, including the likes of Rayan Cherki, Thiago Mendes and Castello Lukeba. The trio enjoyed regular first-team football in the French top-flight last season and, despite their impressive performances, they could be obtainable for far less than their market price.
According to L'Equipe, Chelsea tried to sign Lukeba last year but their £38million offer was rejected by Lyon. Then, in a bid to force an exit this summer, the report stated that the 20-year-old defender was looking to change his agent in April – but it remains to be seen wether or not he managed to change his representation.
As for Mendes, he'd certainly provide sufficient cover in midfield so long as the Blues can still get their hands on Caicedo and Lavia, while Cherki chalked up four goals and six assists in 34 Ligue 1 matches last season after being linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in January.
With a busy couple of weeks ahead, Chelsea have already wrapped up a deal for a Lyon star – Malo Gusto. After signing for the Blues in the final week of the January transfer window, he returned to the French outfit on loan until the end of the season.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Kalidou Koulibaly exit, Moises Caicedo swap, Mason Mount bid
It's been reported that the west Londoners paid around £26million, including add-ons, for the then 19-year-old right-back. Chelsea would have significantly benefitted from welcoming Gusto to Stamford Bridge in the winter, with Reece James' injury record becoming an issue.
But they were unable to agree that as part of the deal. Pochettino will have the pleasure of working with two of the most exciting young full-backs upon his arrival at Cobham training ground on July 1 – and maybe Gusto could bring Cherki with him...
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