MY ACCOUNT
Moussa Dembele is a man in demand — and Lyon’s star striker looks set to be on the move this summer.
Among the clubs linked with the former Celtic player are West Ham, whose fans were incensed by the frontman’s sly wink after getting Aaron Cresswell sent off in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final last week.
Ahead of tonight’s second leg in France, we look at why reported Arsenal and Manchester United target Dembele is attracting so much interest and if he could end up at the Hammers next season.
The story so far
Born in the suburbs of the French capital, Dembele spent most of his youth career with Paris Saint-Germain — but it was in London where he would make his senior breakthrough.
Fifteen Championship goals for a struggling Fulham side in 2015-16 earned Dembele a move to Celtic, for whom he racked up 32 goals in all competitions during his first season.
His second campaign with the Scottish giants was not as prolific but he impressed enough during his time at Celtic Park for Lyon to come calling with a £19.7million bid in August 2018.
And, with the exception of last season, when he fell out of favour and eventually left on loan for Atletico Madrid, Dembele has been one of Les Gones’ main men ever since.
Prolific potential
Dembele has scored 13 times in all competitions so far this season — and he has notched nine of those in his last 14 appearances.
The 25-year-old has averaged 0.71 goals per 90 minutes since the turn of the year. Looking solely at Ligue 1, his average of 0.8 strikes per 90 in 2022 places him inside the division’s top 10 performers over that period.
However, it should be noted that five of Dembele’s goals this term have come from the penalty spot. He is also yet to score 20 or more non-penalty goals in a single campaign but appears to have the potential to be prolific.
The new Lukaku?
Dembele has been compared to Romelu Lukaku in the past — and, like the Belgian, an important part of his game is the creation of space for himself to make runs in behind.
Last season, Dembele was deployed through the middle of a rather narrow front three but he has been at his best leading the line in a 4-2-3-1.
The latter system — the preferred shape of current Lyon head coach Peter Bosz — sees the former France Under-21s international more involved in the box, where he is able to do maximum damage.
Hammers vacancy
West Ham have been short at centre forward since Sebastien Haller departed for Ajax in January last year — and Irons striker Michail Antonio has admitted that he would welcome some competition.
Speaking in January, he said: “I want a challenge. I want someone to be there pushing me and make sure I am doing the right things.
“I am not a person that would shy away from a challenge. I would definitely embrace someone coming in, I’d embrace the competition.”
Did Dembele’s antics at the London Stadium dent the chances of him being that someone, though?
The wrong move?
Given that he is out of contract in June next year, it looks likely to be this summer or never if Lyon are to cash in on Dembele.
And with his 26th birthday approaching in July, it does feel like prime time for OL’s No9 to take the next step in his career.
Much may depend on Lyon qualifying for Europe next season but this is a player who needs to be starting on a regular basis.
And — wink or no wink — it is hard to see how he does that for David Moyes’ Hammers in normal circumstances.
United and Arsenal may pose a similar problem leaving Dembele with a massive decision to make on the direction on what he wants out of his career.
