Burnley join the race to sign Georges Mikautadze as Lyon open the door to a sale | OneFootball

In an ideal world, Olympique Lyonnais would like to retain their first-choice forward, Georges Mikautadze (24), however, with the transfer deadline looming, the club must still raise just under €40m in player sales in order to satisfy the promises made to the DNCG and UEFA.

It means that Mikautadze, like Malick Fofana, would be sold if a strong offer came in and the player accepted the move. A strong offer did come in for Fofana, from Everton, however, the Belgian turned down the move to Merseyside.

Mikautadze is now the leading candidate to depart, and according to L’Équipe, Lyon are using the UEFA Champions League draw to speak with Villarreal, who have shown interest in the Georgian. There will be a first meeting between the two clubs in Monaco in the coming hours.

OL are demanding €35m for Mikautadze. Villarreal aren’t the only club interested. Burnley are also in for the centre-forward, and L’Équipe understands that they are capable of meeting the asking price. An unnamed Saudi Arabian club is also in the race.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle