Chelsea have approach for ex-Fulham forward Dembele rejected

Lyon have rejected an approach from Chelsea for former Fulham forward Moussa Dembele.

The Blues were prepared to pay around £33m for the 23-year-old, who left west London to join Celtic in 2016 and moved to Lyon two years later.

He made 56 league appearances for Fulham, scoring 15 goals, and was linked with various top Premier League clubs before ending up in Glasgow and then back in his native France.

Chelsea are keen to bring in a striker during this month’s transfer window and Dembele is among several possible signings the club have discussed.

But Lyon have made it clear they have no wish to sell.

Prior to receiving Chelsea’s approach, Lyon released a statement which read: “Olympique Lyonnais has taken note of certain information relayed by the media suggesting that Moussa Dembele could interest other clubs during this transfer window.

“We would like to reaffirm its wish, as in the summer of 2019, to keep Moussa Dembele. The club has full confidence in Moussa and counts in particular on him to build a successful team for the seasons to come.”