Olympique Lyonnais president confirms Bertrand Traore talks with Chelsea

Bertrand Traore, fresh off the Europa League final disappointment while on loan with Ajax, has been heavily linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge. Given his age (21), his career path (back on loan after a season spent with the first-team), and his initial disappointment and confusion at not staying with Chelsea this past season, any move away now is likely to be of the “permanent” rather than loan variety. As long as Chelsea insert a buy-back clause however, either solution should be fine.

At least four teams have been mentioned in connection with Traore recently, including Bundesliga trio Schalke 04, RB Leipzig, and TSG Hoffenheim, but it’s the non-German option that appears to be ahead in the race. Olympique Lyonnais were supposedly quoted €20m by Chelsea last week and now, they are set to start negotiations.

Technically, Aulas did not confirm that he’s talking with Chelsea about Traore, but that seems to be the obvious connection to make. The Lyon President is currently in Cardiff for tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final between Lyon and PSG.

“I was in Chelsea and we discussed something other than women's football [...] Chelsea players interest us, and the reciprocal is also true.”

-Jean-Michel Aulas; source: Goal via Google Translate

The intriguing bit is Aulas’s mention of Chelsea being interested in Lyon players as well. Cheeky bid for Atletico-bound Lacazette or the lovely Tolisso, anyone?