Transfers: Dembélé to a loan at Atlético, Slimani to replace him at OL?

Injured in his left arm during training before the break and operated on for a fracture, Moussa Dembélé resumed individual training on Thursday. But the situation is agitated for him behind the scenes: replacing since the start of the season, the 24-year-old French striker, OL’s top scorer over the last two seasons, finds the time long and stirs up envy.

He has been the subject for a few days of strong interest from Atlético de Madrid, who terminated the contract of his center forward Diego Costa. Dembélé, under contract until June 2023, is interested in this opportunity and wants to join the Colchoneros.

Garcia and Juninho will not oppose his departure

The latter sent this Thursday, according to Spanish sources close to Atlético, a loan offer until the end of the season with a purchase option, the amount of which has not filtered. The leaders of the two clubs are currently negotiating: OL coach Rudi Garcia and sporting director Juninho will not oppose the player’s wishes, but if the striker leaves, he will absolutely have to be replaced.

The name best placed on the shelves of the Rhone club is that of Islam Slimani. As we wrote on January 2, contact is maintained with the Algerian international (32 years old, 26 caps, 12 goals), already contacted last summer when the hypothesis of a transfer from Memphis Depay to FC grew. Barcelona. The former Monegasque, who does not play in Leicester, can free himself from his last six months of contract with the English club and the interest of OL does not leave him insensitive.