Liverpool scouts watch Lyon players

OL claimed a convincing victory, via goals from Maxine Cornet (2) and Moussa Dembele.

That boosted their hopes of a third place finish in Ligue 1 this term, with Bruno Genesio’s men needing just a win from their final two matches to ensure finishing above Saint Etienne.

But Lyon face a fight over a number of their most talented players this summer, with some of Europe’s biggest sides actively monitoring their key men.

Front and centre in southern France on Sunday were Reds staff, and according to reports in France, a number of Lyon players were being watched as the Premier League runners-up seek to strengthen this summer.

The first of those, and reportedly the one they are most keen on, was Houssem Aouar, the young central midfielder.

Aouar, 20, has enjoyed a magnificent breakthrough campaign with OL, playing 45 times in all competitions and making a first-team spot his own.

The France Under-21 international - praised by Pep Guardiola after his displays against Manchester City in the Champions League, with the Spaniard labelling him “incredible” - has scored seven goals and offered 10 assists this term.

“He’s always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality,” said Guardiola after the 2-2 draw at Parc OL in November.

Aouar’s midfield partner, Tanguy Ndombele, was also being watched, with the France international looking increasingly likely to move on this summer.

Jean-Michel Aulas has already admitted that the 22-year-old is likely to leave, with Juventus leading the race - and the OL president most keen for him to head to Turin.

“Honestly, I would like to see Ndombele at Juventus with [Miralem] Pjanic, a player that broke out at Lyon and a player I am still very attached to,” he said last month. “We will see what happens.”

It’s also claimed that former Manchester United flop Memphis Depay was also being eyed, the Dutchman having been rejuvenated in France.

Depay, 25, has made no secret of his desire to return to one of Europe’s major leagues after scoring 10 goals and registering 15 assists this term.

Liverpool were close to signing Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir last summer, before a move fell through at the last minute.

Jurgen Klopp didn’t add a replacement for the World Cup winner, although the same worries over his long-standing knee issue remain.

Chelsea scouts were also in attendance, supposedly keeping tabs on Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara.

The Blues are eyeing the 19-year-old centre-back, whose contract is up in 2020.

Source: Daily Mirror

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