Brighton and Hove Albion are eyeing a move for Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso, but it may prove difficult to get over the line.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who report that Brighton have inquired about the feasibility of a move in the January transfer window.
The newspaper explains that after being banned by French football’s financial authority the DNCG from signing players in January and ordered to lower debts before the end of the season, Lyon’s squad is essentially up for sale.
The problem is that the players they wouldn’t want to see depart are the ones being targeted early on and that’s the case for Tolisso.
The 30-year-old is ‘in the little papers’ at Brighton, who are looking for a ‘complete and experienced midfielder’ to add to their squad. The 2018 world champions ‘fits the profile perfectly’ in that regard.
Brighton have already obtained information from Lyon, with the leaders at both clubs exchanging information. Tolisso, for his part, is ‘flattered’ by the interest from the Premier League side and likes their ambition.
At the moment the ‘trend’ is that he would not leave in the January transfer window as he feels good at Lyon. They are the club he broke through with, he plays alongside his friend Alexandre Lacazette and the club have high sporting objectives between now and the end of the season.
It would therefore take a convincing offer from Brighton to get him out and it remains to be seen if the Seagulls have the means to make such an offer.
Lyon, though, would welcome a sale as it would help their financial situation, particularly as they’d get his €600,000 a year wages off of the payroll.
