Olympique Lyonnais manager Pierre Sage has confirmed that Gift Orban (21) is set to join the club from KVV Gent.
As reported by L’Équipe on Tuesday, Orban is set to join Les Gones imminently in a €13m deal. The publication reports that the Nigerian forward will sign a four-and-a-half-year with OL in the coming days.
Speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, Sage has confirmed Orba’s imminent arrival. “It’s true, he’s very close to signing. It is well advanced. He is an attacker, a goalscorer who offers lots of possibilities. We needed this profile,” he said. Orban, whose attacking output has slowed somewhat in the Belgian top flight this season, will provide competition for Alexandre Lacazette up-front.
Lyon’s winter spending isn’t expected to stop there. Midfield remains a position where OL are hoping to strengthen and Sage has confirmed an interest in Stade Rennais’ Nemanja Matić, although the Breton club have thus far proved stubborn in negotiations.
“In all likelihood, he’s a target. Why? Because quite simply he’s a good player. I can’t say too much, I’m not handling that,” said Sage. A winger is also targeted, despite the arrival of Malick Fofana for €17m. Discussions over moves for Arnaut Danjuma and Saïd Benrahma are ongoing, but both deals are proving complex.