Man Utd, Arsenal tipped to make late transfer move for unsettled 21-goal Lyon star

Arsenal and Manchester United have been tipped to make a move for unsettled Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.

The former Celtic and Fulham striker could be a late option for a number of clubs in the Premier League. Dembele’s time in the U.K. was highly regarded. His 17 goals in 46 Fulham appearances saw him get a big move to Celtic.

The Scottish giants only paid around £500,000 in compensation as Dembele was only 19. He continued his upward curve at Celtic Park with 51 goals in 94 games, prompting Lyon to spend around £20m in September 2018.

Now the Daily Express report Arsenal and United are “reportedly two of Dembele’s suitors”.

Both clubs are looking for attacking reinforcements. Arsenal are in a much less pressured situation after adding Gabriel Jesus to their ranks earlier in the summer. But after Nicolas Pepe left on loan to join Nice, Arsenal are believed to be hunting another option up front.

As for United they are also in need of attacking options. Erik ten Hag needs a No.9 and he may also need a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo too.

It’s thought that Dembele was content to run down his deal at the Ligue 1 club. The forward is out of contract next summer and hoping to grab a place in France’s World Cup squad in November.

The 26-year-old has not been capped at senior international level but he is hoping to break into Didier Deschamps’s side. However, the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette at Lyon could impact his playing time.

Dembele has yet to appear for Lyon this season. Lacazette has lead the line and captained Les Gones to two victories.

And Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson has said that Lyon’s desire to cash in and Dembele’s desire to move on could see the player transferred this month.

Moussa Dembele move ‘a possibility’

Johnson told Sky Sports: “I think it definitely is a possibility [Dembele leaving Lyon].

“I think Lyon would rather cash in on him now rather than lose him for free next summer. It sounds like the player would rather see out his contract and then leave as a free agent next summer. But given the limited amount of game time he might have now that Alexander Lacazette is back in the fold for OL, I definitely think it is a possibility if the right offer comes in.

“I think there are a number of clubs that are looking at Dembele as perhaps a good capture from now until the end of the transfer window, especially remember him from his time in England with Fulham and then Celtic in Scotland.”

A move back to England for Dembele does seem to make sense.

Whether or not United and Arsenal will go after the player will depend on the availability of their other targets. Both clubs appear to have a number of other options more pressing than Dembele.

Foot Mercato reported that Villarreal approached Lyon over a potential move for Dembele earlier in the summer.

The LaLiga side were given short shrift though by the man who bagged 21 league goals last season.