L’Equipe report on Sunday that Lille are open to selling Martin Terrier during the winter transfer window, despite the player being on loan at Strasbourg.
Lille have financial problems and selling the young forward could bring in around €20m, which would go some way to easing the situation.
The French club are so serious about raising funds this month that they’ve instructed an agent to find English deals for several players, with Terrier chief among them.
L’Equipe reference claims elsewhere in France that Lyon are closing in on a deal, but they don’t think that’s the case right now. Everton and AS Monaco are named as other interested sides, but there’s no agreement with either the French principality side or Sam Allardyce’s men.
Everton fans may recall Terrier being linked with the club previously. A year ago L’Equipe reported Everton were keeping an eye on the player, and then in June the club were said to be ‘willing to go on the offensive’ to sign the Lille player.
Rather than this being a managerial transfer, Terrier looks very much like a Steve Walsh pick for the Toffees, so it would be no surprise if interest remains and a move is made.
With Lille looking for the money which comes with selling a player to England, Everton would be a great solution for them, especially if the club agreed to loan him back for the second half of the season.
Lille are banned from recruiting due to their financial situation, but selling Terrier to Everton would largely solve that and they could then get him back on loan, something they can’t do right now.
Terrier is a 20 year old forward, flexible in his position, and has scored 3 goals and added two assists so far this season. Playing for France’s U21 side, Terrier has 7 goals in 5 appearances for his country.
