Everton target Rachid Ghezzal scored his first goal of the season yesterday against Saint Etienne, coming off the bench to help Lyon to a 2-0 win.
Ghezzal opted to stay at the Ligue 1 club, as unlike Everton they offered him the chance to play in the Champions League and are the club where he came through the ranks.
Ghezzal however is yet to sign a new contract at Lyon, with his current deal expiring next summer. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Ghezzal remains close to extending his contract for three years.
It’s been reported for a while that the 24-year-old has been negotiating a new contract, and several times it’s been stated that things are close.
The Algerian international has been at Lyon since he was 5, and has that attachment to the club. If he hasn’t signed a contract by the winter transfer window then he’ll soon be able to start talks over a free transfer, and even commit himself to a club.
A renewal doesn’t necessarily rule out a transfer, but would mean Everton or anyone else interested would have to pay Lyon a larger fee than last summer, and would prevent the chance of losing the player on a free transfer.
Everton are a more attractive prospect than last summer, with Ronald Koeman proving to be an immediate success.
