‘Approach Made’ – Liverpool Midfielder Set to Leave ‘Imminently’ | OneFootball

Lyon Make Approach for Liverpool’s Tyler Morton Amid Midfield Rebuild

According to an original report from The Times, Ligue 1 side Lyon have contacted Liverpool over the availability of 22-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton, who is expected to leave rather imminently once talks advance. The England U21 international is attracting attention following a string of promising performances, including helping Lee Carsley’s England side lift the 2025 U21 Euros.

Lyon are actively rebuilding their midfield after the sales of Jordan Veretout to Al-Arabi and Jordan Lepenant to FC Nantes. Both deals have freed up space and, crucially, salary capacity within Paulo Fonseca’s squad.

Contract Situation Invites Interest

Morton’s contractual position is certainly part of what makes him an appealing target. Entering the final year of his deal at Liverpool, Morton could be available at a reduced price. That fact has not gone unnoticed, especially by Lyon and also West Ham United, who are monitoring the situation. However, as GFFN report, “the Hammers are reportedly keen to first sell some of their midfielders first” before any concrete move is made.

Photo: IMAGO

The situation at Lyon is pressing. Veteran Nemanja Matic is nearing the end of his contract and at 36, offers limited minutes. Corentin Tolisso, meanwhile, is about to turn 31 and has seen links to Manchester United resurface. Fonseca is therefore planning a strategic refresh, and Morton’s mix of energy, passing range and positional intelligence could be the ideal fit.

Europa League Adds Incentive

Despite financial constraints, Lyon’s qualification for the Europa League next season increases their need for squad depth. While Ligue 1 spending is generally more cautious in 2025 due to wider economic realities, clubs competing in Europe must strike a balance between competitiveness and sustainability.

Morton, a player already proven in high-pressure youth tournaments, and someone who has featured for Liverpool in Europe and domestically, would add value and versatility without breaking the bank. He has the attributes to play multiple midfield roles, from deep-lying orchestrator to a box-to-box outlet, which makes him particularly useful in a continental campaign.

West Ham Watching Closely

While Lyon have acted early, West Ham remain in the shadows. Their interest is conditional, but their midfield picture could change quickly if the likes of Tomas Soucek or Pablo Fornals move on. Should they act decisively, Morton might be drawn to the idea of staying in the Premier League.

Still, the path to regular minutes may be clearer in Lyon, and the opportunity to play in Europe could sway the balance in favour of a move to France.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There’s a bittersweet tone to this one for Liverpool fans. Tyler Morton has long been viewed as one of the academy’s brightest midfield prospects. While he’s not a headline name, his football intelligence, composure in possession and adaptability have always stood out to those watching closely.

From a squad perspective, his departure wouldn’t derail Arne Slot’s plans, but it would represent the loss of another homegrown option at a time when UEFA and Premier League registration rules make such players more valuable. With Morton in his final contract year, Liverpool find themselves backed into a familiar corner — do they risk losing him for nothing next summer, or take a fee now that could be reinvested?

Given his strong performances for England U21s and positive loan spells, a move abroad could also benefit Morton himself. Ligue 1 has proven a good development ground for English players, and the presence of European football at Lyon may offer a platform to shine in a way he likely wouldn’t get at Anfield this season.

Still, if Morton chooses to move, he does so with the well wishes of most Reds — and with the hope he becomes yet another Liverpool academy product to thrive abroad.