Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas believes that a deal for Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore could be finalised before the weekend.
The Ligue One side have reportedly agreed a €20m (£17.6m) fee with the Blues for the Burkina Faso international, and talking to Radio Scoop (quotes via Mercato365.com), Aulas confirmed that the transfer could be completed in the next few days, although a more realistic timetable maybe by the end of June:
“I hope that by the end of the month. We are in the process of finalising the discussions. It is a very ambitious operation, which sticks to what we have said. I hope that we will be able to conclude within ten days, if possible before the weekend.”
Traore had a number of suitors but it seems Lyon, who have strengthened their transfer coffers after the €41.5m sale of midfielder Corentin Tolisso to Bayern Munich, have emerged as the 21 year old’s preferred destination.
The winger spent the whole of last season out on loan at Ajax where in 39 appearances, he scored 13 goals and provided six assists. After a good campaign in the Netherlands, manager Antonio Conte may have considered making Traore part of the first team squad at Stamford Bridge but it looks almost certain that the player will be moving on after almost fours years at the club.
