Manchester United will be keeping a close eye on the situation at Lyon amid transfer interest in Afonso Moreira
Manchester United could be handed a boost to their hopes of signing Afonso Moreira, with his current club, Lyon, facing the possibility of being kicked out of European competitions. United have been linked with an interest in the winger ahead of the summer transfer window.
Reports say the club are preparing a bid for the 21-year-old, who came through Sporting CP's ranks while ex-United boss Ruben Amorim was manager. Moreira moved to Lyon last summer and has impressed with his performances.
His four goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 so far this season mean that Lyon are in fourth place in the table, which would see them qualify for Champions League football.
A win in their final league game of the season would see Lyon secure a place in the Champions League qualifiers, and maybe even the league phase. If not, they are guaranteed a spot in at least the UEFA Conference League.
However, The Telegraph report that the club are facing possible expulsion from UEFA competitions next season.
There are concerns that the French club have not complied with the terms of a settlement agreement with UEFA reached last summer.
It was announced that Lyon, along with Chelsea and Aston Villa, had been sanctioned for breaking financial stability regulations.
The clubs were given certain conditions to comply with over the next four years, including that the owners had to inject €60 million (£51.9m) and convert it to equity by October. It’s reported that Lyon has not met the condition.
While UEFA are said to be reluctant to throw clubs out of competitions, they could be forced to do so if Lyon are not close to the target.
Should they be expelled from the competition, they could be forced to sell players to make up for the financial blow that would entail.
Having Champions League football to offer could put United in the driving seat for Moreira should they decide to make a move.