Liverpool firm on valuation as Lyon aim to land midfield target | OneFootball

Lyon Chase Liverpool Midfielder as Morton Attracts Continental Attention

Lyon Target Young Midfield Anchor

Olympique Lyonnais have stepped up their pursuit of Liverpool’s Tyler Morton, according to L’ÉQUIPE. The French side have reached a contractual agreement with the 22-year-old midfielder, but negotiations with Liverpool remain strained. The Merseyside club are holding out for €9 million, excluding bonuses, a figure currently seen as too steep by Lyon’s board.

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Morton, who is under contract at Anfield until June 2026, is part of Liverpool’s pre-season squad in Southeast Asia and featured during their recent friendly against Milan, coming on around the hour mark.

Solid Year at Hull Boosts Reputation

Morton’s stock has risen significantly after a productive loan spell at Hull City, where he made 39 appearances, scored three goals and added five assists. While his game time at Liverpool’s senior side has been limited, with just 10 appearances and none in the Premier League, his performances at U21 level and for England’s Under-21s have been noted, particularly in their recent European Championship win.

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Liverpool’s valuation reflects a belief in Morton’s potential, but Lyon’s hesitation shows the difficulty in bridging Premier League and Ligue 1 market expectations.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This is precisely the sort of moment where Liverpool must tread carefully. Tyler Morton is not just a number on a spreadsheet. He’s an academy product with a sharp football brain, one who has come through the system, served his time in the Championship, and returned more mature, more rounded.

Lyon wanting him is no surprise. He fits their model perfectly, a technically sound, intelligent holding midfielder with years ahead of him. But if the price is indeed €9 million, then Liverpool are right to hold firm. This is not a surplus-to-requirements sale. This is a potential starter for the future.

What makes this one harder to judge is timing. With the midfield already crowded and Arne Slot eager to trim and fine-tune, it’s possible Morton might not get the senior opportunities he deserves. And if that’s the case, a move abroad might suit everyone.