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Olunga linked to top French club Olympique Lyon


Harambee Stars striker Micheal Olunga is in talks with top French club Olympique Lyonnais over a possible move.

Nairobi News has learnt the former IF Djurgardens forward is currently considering a move back to Europe after his four-month stay in China stalled.

According to those privy to the negotiations, the seven-time French champions are interested in an initial six-month loan move even though the 23-year-old’s club Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng’s demands have so far proven a stumbling block.

“Lyon want a free six month loan, and only want to assist Zhicheng pay a percentage of player’s (Sh10 million) monthly salary. Zhicheng are demanding a transfer fee for the loan and the interested club to pay his salary in full,” our source explained.

Lyon, who recently sold their top striker Alexandre Lacazzete, to Arsenal for a reported Sh8 billion, are however, not the only side eyeing Olunga’s services having also acquired lanky forward Benard Traore from Chelsea. The Frenchman’s style of play is very similar to Olunga’s.

OTHER SUITORS

Russian side CSKA Moscow, Turkish outfit Galatasaray alongside an unnamed Belgium clubs are also side to have contacted Zhicheng in regard to Olunga.

A return to Europe, meanwhile, seems ideal for the player who joined the newly promoted Chinese club for about Sh500 million in March.

Ever since, the player, who scored the lone goal in Kenya’s lost 2-1 loss to Sierra Leone in the opening game of the 2019 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Free Town last June, has also scored twice in nine league appearances.

Olunga’s challenges in China commenced in May when his club employed top Spanish trainer Gregorio Manzano.

The coach would soon after be followed into the club the by compatriot and top, striker Mauro Suarez – a player that has alongside former Everton striker Nikica Jelavic formed the first choice strike pairing, consequently relegating Kenya’s top striker to the reserves.