Celtic see Mahamadou Diawara loan offer ....Lyon as permanent...

Celtic see Mahamadou Diawara loan offer ‘rejected’ by Lyon as permanent transfer trigger creates roadblock

Lyon has reportedly turned down an offer from Celtic for their 19-year-old midfielder Mahamadou Diawara.

The young talent made his breakthrough with the Ligue 1 club last year, catching the attention of several teams across Europe. Reports from France indicate that Celtic, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, attempted to secure a loan deal for Diawara ahead of the transfer deadline.

The proposed deal included an option to buy the player permanently for €8 million at the end of the season.

Celtic, under the management of Brendan Rodgers, is in the market for new midfield talent, especially with the expected arrival of Arne Engels from Augsburg as a potential replacement for Matt O’Riley.

O’Riley recently made headlines by setting a new Scottish transfer record with his move to Brighton. However, it seems Rodgers is not content with just one midfield reinforcement and has set his sights on Diawara as well.

Despite Celtic’s interest, Lyon has made their position clear: they have no intention of selling Diawara, a rising star in French football, anytime soon.

The player recently signed a contract extension with Lyon, tying him to the club for another four years.

This long-term commitment suggests that Lyon views Diawara as a key part of their future plans, and they would require a substantial offer to even consider letting him go. As the transfer deadline looms, it remains to be seen if Celtic will return with an improved offer or shift their focus elsewhere.