Reports in the French media suggest that 21-year-old Nigerian forward Gift Orban could leave Olympique Lyon at the end of the season.
Orban joined Lyon at the start of the season after showcasing his talent with Belgian club Gent, where he scored 18 goals in 33 appearances during the previous season.
Roped into the Lyon setup to primarily understudy club legend Alexandre Lacazette who is entering the twilight of his career, the Nigerian international has flattered to deceive since his arrival at Lyon.
Photo by Icon Sport This has got the Lyon hierarchy eyeing a potential replacement for Orban, who has made 12 Ligue 1 appearances with two starts for Lyon this term.
Earlier reports emerged that Ajax forward Georges Mikautadze could be in line to replace Orban at Lyon.
The 23-year-old Georgia international, who is currently on loan from Ajax Amsterdam to Ligue 1 side Metz, has had a fantastic season.
A new development has surfaced linking the former Ligue 1 champions to a player from FC Barcelona.
Who are Lyon considering to replace Gift Orban? According to Mundo Deportivo, John Textor and David Friio already have an FC Barcelona player in their sights. Lyon are reportedly eyeing a move for Vitor Roque.
Having arrived last January at Barca for EUR40 million from Athletico Paranaense, the young 19-year-old striker is regarded as a promising talent for Brazilian football. However, his adaptation at the Catalan club has proven to be rather challenging.
With Robert Lewandowski leading the attack, Roque finds himself relegated to a substitute role. While facing stiff competition is expected, his playing time has significantly decreased in recent weeks.
In fact, Roque has only featured for 62 minutes in Barca's last 5 matches across all competitions. This limited game time is insufficient for the Brazilian talent who requires regular minutes on the pitch.
Vitor Roque has only played 310 minutes for Barcelona this season, and has not played since April the 13th. pic.twitter.com/Zzx6WZDSIj
- Barca Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 3, 2024 As a result, a loan move is being considered. Several clubs including Sevilla, Nice and Napoli are reportedly interested in acquiring his services on a temporary basis.
The young Brazilian has made 11 La Liga appearances, starting two of them and scoring two goals in the process.
What has become of Orban at Lyon? Delving into his journey and impact As Lyon's season draws to a close, fans are curious about the trajectory of Orban, the talented attacker who arrived at the club with high expectations.
Since joining Lyon from Belgian club Gent at the beginning of the season, Orban's journey has been closely watched by supporters and pundits alike.
Earlier hailed for his impressive goal-scoring record at Gent, where he netted 18 goals in 33 appearances the previous season, hopes were high for Orban to make a significant impact at Lyon. However, his transition to the new club hasn't been without its challenges.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Orban has found consistent playing time hard to come by in Lyon's competitive attacking lineup.
With stiff competition for starting spots, he has often been relegated to a substitute role, limiting his opportunities to replicate his scoring prowess from his Gent days.
Photo by Icon Sport Considering his limited opportunities at Lyon, seeking a loan move to another club could be a strategic move for Orban to gain valuable experience and exposure at a higher level of competition.
Prior to his stint at Lyon, Orban was a subject of interest from Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and English Premier League side Fulham.
Narrowly missing out on the 2023 CAF Young Player of the Year accolade, Orban's nomination among other gifted African footballers underscores his immense potential and bright future.
A departure from Lyon might just be the spark required for him to realise his aspirations and carve a niche for himself in the sport.
Due to his outstanding performances for Gent, Orban was widely expected to secure a spot in Jose Peseiro's final AFCON 2023 squad after being initially named in the provisional squad. However, he was ultimately overlooked for selection.
He was called up by Peseiro for an AFCON 2023 qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe but was unable to play due to an injury sustained in a league game before the match held in Nigeria.