FRENCH topflight league side Montpellier have reportedly intensified their interest in Warriors forward Tino Kadewere, who has fallen out of favour at Olympique Lyon.
Kadewere spent the better part of last season on a largely unsuccessful loan spell at Spanish La Liga side Real Mallorca and Lyon are reportedly interested in listening to offers for the Zimbabwean striker.
The 27- year- old footballer still has a year remaining on his Lyon contract, but is not expected to remain at the club next season with the trio of Alexandre Lacazette, Rayan Cherki and Bradley Barcola all ahead of him on the pecking order.
But recent reports about English side Chelsea’s pursuit of Cherki had fuelled speculation that Lyon will try to hold on to Kadewere in the meantime.
Kadewere has featured in both of Lyon's preseason matches against Manchester United and Dutch lower division side De Treffers, scoring against the latter in a 2-1 win.
While he is not at first sight a real option for former France coach Laurent Blanc, Kadewere is currently the only top striker who can provide cover for Lacazette in the squad.
According to French online publication Allezpaillade, he is set to leave Lyon with Montpillier leading the race for his signature.
“We revealed to you a few weeks ago that Lyon striker Tino Kadewere was interested in Montpellier, an interest later confirmed by Bertrand Queneutte on France Bleu Hérault. We are able today (Friday) to announce that discussions have intensified in recent hours between Montpellier and Lyon. The 27-year-old Zimbabwean international striker is, according to our information, very interested in the idea of joining the MHSC,” Allezpaillade wrote.
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“While contacts had been broken between Kadewere and Montpellier so far, discussions have indeed advanced between the different parties. Everyone is hoping for a quick deal. He is considered an undesirable in Lyon and Montpellier has understood this well.
“As a reminder, he is estimated at €4m on the transfer market and he only has one year left on his contract. Montpellier is not alone, however, and even if the MHSC is the most advanced in the file, other clubs including Leganés (Spain second tier) are also interested.
“In case of transfer, the amount should only be a few million euros. All the circumstances mentioned mean that the price of the player is quite low, which should satisfy the offices of Grammont. Case to follow therefore, but it could well be that the player will arrive in the next few days on the side of Montpellier!” Allezpaillade said.
Montpellier are on the verge of losing Elye Wahi who is being courted by Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have started looking for a replacement.
Kadewere joined Lyon in January 2020 and managed 10 goals and three assists during his first season at the club to follow up on his prolific run with Le Havre, where he scored an incredible 20 goals in 24 games the previous year.
The former Harare City man will be one of the key players for Zimbabwe when the World Cup qualifiers begin in November after the country’s international suspension was lifted.
