Olympique Lyon have reportedly declined transfer bids from RC Lens and TSG Hoffenheim for their Nigerian forward, Gift Orban.
The 21-year-old striker, who joined Lyon from Belgian side KAA Gent in January 2023, has expressed his desire to leave the club after being excluded from the squad for disciplinary reasons.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that both clubs fell short of Lyon’s valuation of Orban. RC Lens tabled an €8 million offer, while Hoffenheim made a bid of €10 million. However, Lyon are holding firm, demanding €12 million for the former Stabæk player.
Orban, who showcased his scoring prowess in the Belgian Pro League before his move to Ligue 1, has grown frustrated with his current situation.
Despite his exclusion, he remains a hot commodity, with multiple clubs keeping tabs on his availability during the January transfer window.
The rejected bids suggest that Lyon are unwilling to sell their prized asset for less than their asking price, but with the player pushing for a move, the situation may evolve quickly.
RC Lens, last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up, and Hoffenheim, a Bundesliga mid-table side, are expected to revisit their offers as the window approaches. For Orban, the next few weeks will be crucial as he seeks a resolution to his standoff with the club.
