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ATLÉTICO

L'Equipe: Lyon's Rachid Ghezzal on Atlético Madrid's radar

The Calderón side are hopeful that their transfer ban will be reduced to one window, leaving them free to sign the Algeria international in June.

Update:
Ghezzal disputa un balón con Maxwell.
ROBERT PRATTAREUTERS

Atlético Madrid have set their sights on Lyon winger Rachid Ghezzal, according to French daily L’Equipe. Algeria international Ghezzal, 24, is out of contact at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais next summer and Atlético are still hopeful that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will reduce the Fifa-imposed transfer ban from two windows to one, leaving the club free to add to their squad in June.

Ghezzal in demand

Last season, Ghezzal made 29 appearances for Lyon, scoring eight and assisting eight as Les Gones finished runners-up in Ligue 1. A series of injuries have hampered the player’s progression but several European clubs are interested in signing him, including Premier League side Everton. However, Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has said that the club will offer Ghezzal “a very nice offer” to remain in France.

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JEFF PACHOUDAFP

Atlético transfer ban

Ghezzal is a versatile forward who is comfortable on both feet and can also play behind the striker as a number 10. As of January 1, Ghezzal will be free to negotiate with other clubs. In the case that the CAS does not reduce Atlético’s transfer ban to one window, the club can still sign the player but he will not be able to play at the Calderón until January 2018.