Nicolás Tagliafico hesitating over Lyon move

Lyon had looked set to complete a deal to sign Ajax’s Nicolás Tagliafico (29), but the Argentine international is hesitating, causing Les Gones to explore another option, according to Sébastien Denis.

Click Here: new zealand rugby jersey

Tagliafico’s move to Lyon has been in the pipeline for some weeks now. It was reported by L’Équipe in early July that the Ligue 1 club had agreed a €4m deal with Ajax to sign the defender. However, the player himself has been hesitant, seemingly waiting for offers from Brighton and Hove Albion, or a team qualified for European competition next season. 

In light of that, Lyon began to study alternative targets. Souleyman Doumbia (25), Pervis Estupiñán (24) and Quentin Merlin (20), whilst the club also turned down the chance to sign Real Madrid legend Marcelo (34) due to the financial implications of the deal. They also missed out on Tyrell Malacia (22), who looked set to join Peter Bosz’s side, but who moved instead to Manchester United at the last moment. 

Having studied those potential deals, Lyon returned once again to Tagliafico. L’Équipe have reported that the Argentine was inching closer to joining Lyon, but in yet another twist in the tale, Sébastien Denis report that the deal is “far from completion” due to a renewed “hesitation” from the player. 

As a result, Lyon are studying another “big deal” parallel to the deal for Tagliafico, who has been the priority for Lyon since the start of the window.