Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has once again claimed that the French club have no intention of selling prized asset Moussa Dembele this month.
The ex-Celtic hitman continues to be linked with a Premier League move this month, with Chelsea and Manchester United both admirers of the striker.
Scouts from a number of clubs, including the aforementioned pair, have been to watch Dembele in action in recent weeks.
And the 23 year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 this term, nabbing 14 goals in all competitions for Les Gones so far this term.
Lyon have already stated once this month that Dembele is going nowhere, issuing a statement on January 2.
And now the Lyon president has doubled down with a fresh declaration.
“We have not changed our minds," Aulas told RMC on Tuesday. "We already made this issue clear in August.
“Moussa is an excellent player. A player who we need.
“We are taking explicit measures in our recruitment to not bring someone in who will compete for his position.
"It is not a question of money. Moussa will be with us.”
Dembele, who starred for Celtic, scoring 51 goals in 94 games, before joining Lyon in August 2018 for £19million, scored one and teed up the other in Lyon's 2-1 win over Bordeaux on Sunday.
Interest has continued to mount with regards the No.9 - who is bidding to force his way into the senior France squad for the first time prior to this summer's European Championships - despite Lyon's earlier statement, warning clubs off making a move.
"Olympique Lyonnais has taken note of certain information relayed by the media suggesting that Moussa Dembélé could interest other clubs during this transfer window," the statement read.
"OL would like to reaffirm its wish, as in the summer of 2019, to keep Moussa Dembélé.
"The club has full confidence in Moussa and counts in particular on him to build a successful team for the seasons to come."
