Speaking to L’Équipe, Lyon football director Vincent Ponsot has explained that Iran striker Sardar Azmoun had been manager Peter Bosz’s priority over the winter window, and that when the move proved unfeasible he turned down the alternative targets put forward to him.
Azmoun, formerly of Zenit St Petersburg, had been the subject of interest from Les Gones since last summer, but the Russian club refused to let him go on account of not having a replacement. He would end up joining Bayer Leverkusen this winter.
Although Bosz was presented with other potential strikers to bring in, he decided to instead place his faith in Moussa Dembélé, who has 8 goals so far this season.