Chelsea target not for sale, insists club president

 

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has reiterated Moussa Dembele is not for sale amid interest from Premier League side Chelsea.

 

Dembele has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea this month and Lyon have reportedly even turned down a £34m bid from Frank Lampard's side.

 

The Chelsea manager wants to sign a new striker to provide competition with Tammy Abraham and has deemed current options Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi surplus to requirements.

 

Reports have emerged suggesting Chelsea are preparing an improved offer for Dembele that will include Giroud but Lyon's president believes the matter is now closed.

 

"Moussa Dembele will not leave because he wants to stay to win something with Lyon," Aulas told the club's official website. "There haev been offers for him and for other players but none of those that we want to keep will leave in January."

 

Chelsea target not for sale, insists club president

 

 

Dembele has scored 10 goals in 18 league appearances for Lyon this season after netting 15 times in 33 Ligue 1 outings in his maiden campaign for the club.

 

With Lyon captain Memphis Depay potentially out for the season, it's vitally important Lyon keep hold of Dembele for the Champions League group stage.