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Man Utd transfer target Moussa Dembele wants Old Trafford move - as Lyon make decision
Manchester United could sign Moussa Dembele from Lyon when the transfer window reopens at the end of the campaign.
Man Utd target Dembele 'fits the club's criteria' says expert
Manchester United transfer target Moussa Dembele wants to leave Lyon for Old Trafford, it has been claimed. And, in a boost to the Red Devils, the Ligue 1 giants are reportedly open to selling their star asset.
Manchester United thought about signing Dembele during the January transfer window but, ultimately, couldn’t snap him up.
The Red Devils then switched focus to Odion Ighalo, landing the Nigeria international from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua on deadline day.
United do want a new striker for the end of the season, though, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not expected to make Ighalo’s spell at the club permanent.
And Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol has claimed Dembele wants to leave Lyon for United at the end of the season.
Lyon, he says, will look to sell the France international.
“Manchester United will sign a striker in the summer and Lyon's Moussa Dembele wants to move to Old Trafford,” he wrote.
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“Dembele will be allowed to leave Lyon at the end of the season and he wants to return to England where he started his career at Fulham.
“Dembele has scored 13 times this season and injuries to key players meant Lyon were unwilling to let him leave in January.
“They also wanted to keep him because they are still in the Champions League and face Juventus next Wednesday.
“Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas will let Dembele leave in the summer but he will have to settle for less than his €100m (£83m) asking price.
“Chelsea tried to sign Dembele last month and were willing to pay up to £40m and he has also been watched by Manchester City, Newcastle and West Ham.
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“Tottenham tried to sign him when he was at Celtic and they are looking for a striker in the summer.
“Dembele is keeping his options open but playing for a Manchester United side who have qualified for the Champions League would be a dream move.”
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas recently suggested United and Chelsea shouldn’t go for Dembele.
And he instead urged the two sides to contemplate Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard instead.
He said: "Odsonne Edouard is good enough to go and play at a Chelsea or a Manchester United.
"I say that with some confidence. I think he could go into both their squads and make a real impact.
"That is how much ability he has. It is up to him how far he wants to go in his career. The sky's the limit.
"Why have I picked these clubs? Because they have both been linked with his former Celtic striker partner Moussa Dembele in recent months.
"For me, Edouard is a better footballer than the Lyon striker and his fellow Frenchman.
"He is absolutely nailed on to win the player of the year award in my opinion."