Oliver Torres set for Atletico stay; Lyon in new assault on N’Koulou

Oliver Torres set for Atletico stay

Spanish daily newspaper AS has learned that Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has no intention of letting youngster Oliver Torres leave the club.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a very successful season while on loan at FC Porto last season, notching 7 goals in 26 league outings.

Given the fierce competition for places at Vicente Calderon, Torres asked the club officials to leave in search of first team football, but was reassured by coach Diego Simeone.

Namely, the Argentine believes that the youngster can play an important role next season, especially now that Arda Turan has joined Barcelona.

Having received strong backing from the coach, Torres no longer wants to leave and he is ready to fight for his place in the side.

While the talented footballer can cover a number of positions in midfield, Simeone plans to use him on the wing most of the time so that the youngster can cut in and provide key passes for his strikers.

Lyon in new assault on N’Koulou

French media outlet L’Equipe is reporting that Lyon have rekindled their interest in Marseille centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou.

Les Gones have confirmed they are keen on the Cameroon star on a number of occasions, but it was believed that coach Marcelo Bielsa did not want to let the 25-year-old leave.

However, with the Argentine tactician resigning from the post few days ago, there are now no obstacles preventing Lyon from luring N’Koulou to Stade Gerland.

And while Marseille chiefs are not too keen on selling their prized asset, they are not in a position to reject a big money offer for his services.

Lyon have previously signed Jeremy Morel on a free transfer from Marseille, while they are closing in on another former OM player Mathieu Valbuena.

Les Gones seem ready to mount a serious title challenge this term, although they could only muster a goalless draw with Lorient in their opening match.

St Etienne to sign Jean-Christophe Bahebeck

Ligue 1 giants Saint Etienne are set to complete the signing of Paris Saint-Germain forward Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, according to Le Parisien.

Les Verts have been on the lookout for attacking reinforcements after both Max Gradel and Mevlut Erding left and they appear to have secured the signature of one of country’s hottest prospects.

Le Parisien has learned that Saint Etienne have agreed to sign the 22-year-old on a season-long loan without an option to buy.

This is enough to suggest that PSG officials still believe that Baheback can make the grade at Parc des Princes, having shown a great deal of potential so far.

The talented forward has already enjoyed loan spells with Troyes and Valenciennes, while he bagged two goals in fifteen league outings for PSG last term.

Les Verts did not have the best of starts to the new Ligue 1 campaign, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Toulouse yesterday evening.

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