Lyon's French forward Bradley Barcola celebrates his goal. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea are now intensifying their pursuit of Olympique Lyon forward Bradley Barcola, who has also been targeted by Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
According to French outlet RMC Sport, (h/t Express), Lyon will lower his asking price for a cash-plus-player exchange due to the restriction imposed on the Ligue 1 club by French football watchdog DNCG.
However, Lyon are demanding a £42 million fee for the 20-year-old but are open to a cash-plus-player deal. Now, Chelsea will have to make a decision on Barcola’s signing.
This could allow Chelsea to make a swap deal and land the young prodigy after missing out on the signing of Michael Olise, who signed a four-year contract at Crystal Palace instead of heading to Stamford Bridge.
Barcola enjoyed a sensational season last term and has been a regular starter for Lyon, making 35 appearances and registering seven goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
The U21 French forward has spent his entire career at Lyon, and with Chelsea knocking on his door, this could be a chance for him to join an elite club to further improve his status in one of the toughest leagues.
The Blues boss wants to bring in another attacking player before the end of the summer window, and after losing out on Olise’s signing, Barcola has been seen as an alternative.
Given that Barcola, 20, has been putting up respectable performances in Ligue 1, it feels like a smart signing. He fits the profile that we have been looking for under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital — young and talented.
The Blues must now choose between paying Lyon’s asking price or giving up a player in the cash-plus-player deal. We have trimmed the squad this summer, perhaps too much. So it won’t make sense to offload another important player and risk our depth in other areas. Romelu Lukaku, maybe?… any takers?
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