French giants glad to see striker stay.Check in to Lyon vs Rennes
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said that he is pleased that the club were able to keep hold of striker Bafetimbi Gomis this summer, hailing him as a ‘key enforcement’, Sky Sports reports.
The French giants had been looking to offload the 27-year-old this summer in order to better balance the club’s finances, but the player refused to be shoved out the door and in doing so, spurned moves to both Newcastle United and Swansea City.
And now Aulas has admitted that being able to keep hold of the France international, known at the Stade Gerland as ‘Baby Drogba’, will be like having a whole new signing in the squad and he is looking forward to being able to see him in action once again.
“We have to consider him as a reinforcement and I am convinced he could be a key reinforcement,” Aulas told L’Equipe.
“I am happy he is with us. The club needs him.”
Gomis has so far failed to agree on a new contract at Lyon and reports suggest they would still be interested in selling him in January.
Gomis bagged 16 goals in 37 appearances last season, but Lyon were unable to challenge the super powers of PSG and Marseille for the Ligue 1 title.