Sources: Major update on Everton bid to sign Moussa Dembele after new development today
Everton are expected to fail in their bid to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembele this month after new developments on Wednesday, sources have told Football Insider.
The tight financial situation at Goodison Park means the club would struggle to sign Dembele on a permanent basis and would prefer a loan deal.
However, Lyon made it clear on Wednesday that they do not want a loan and the French forward is happy to run down his contract and see what offers are available to him as a free agent in the summer.
The former Celtic and Fulham star, 26, is on the Merseysiders’ list of targets as they look to bring in some attacking reinforcements this month.
Everton made contact to register their interest in signing Dembele, who is in the final six months of his contract at Lyon.
Dembele made his senior breakthrough in the Premier League and made two appearances in the top flight after graduating from Fulham’s academy in 2013.
He went on to make over 50 appearances for the Cottagers and scored 19 goals for the London club, with his most noticeable contribution coming in his 15 goals scored in the Championship in the 2015/16 season.
A spell at Celtic followed, with the Scottish giants signing the Frenchman to a four-year contract in 2016.
However, Dembele only spent two years in Glasgow, winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish League Cups and a Scottish Cup.
A £19.7million transfer to Lyon followed in 2018, and Dembele has impressed in Ligue Un over the last five seasons, scoring 69 goals for the French side including two in 14 appearances this season.
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