Moussa Dembele remains focused on his career with Lyon following comments from a club official that suggested he could leave the French side this summer.
MEN Sport reported earlier in the year that Dembele has been looked at by Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window, and Lyon chief Juninho admits his club would need to bring in a similar striker if he were to leave.
Lyon officially unveiled Zimbabwe striker Tino Kadewere as a new signing on Wednesday afternoon where Juninho was asked how the arrival would impact Dembele.
"Moussa’s had a good season and still has a margin to progress,” Juninho said at the unveiling for Kadewere. “He’s a pure centre forward who brings us strength and presence in the box. He scores goals.
“If we lose a player of that level, we’ll look for replacements of the same standard.”
Despite the latest transfer developments MEN Sport understand Dembele is committed to fulfilling his current contract with Lyon, but is aware the situation could change.
United sources have previously informed MEN Sport that the club view 23 as the ideal age to recruit a new player at, with French forward Dembele perfectly fulfilling that criteria.
The former Celtic forward would find it hard to turn down an offer from United if one were to arrive, but the player is understandably keen to play regularly ahead of Euro 2020 next summer.
Sources close to the player stress his client is not currently in conversation with United over a move, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side's desire to sign a new striker this summer has eased following an extension in the loan deal for Odion Ighalo.
Dembele experienced another fine campaign which has saw him net 16 goals in 27 league matches this season, however following the decision to end Ligue 1 early he will not be playing in the Champions League next season after Lyon finished seventh.
