January Transfer: Atleti To Sign Dembele For Loan

Atletico Madrid are in search of a replacement for Diego Costa with the Rojiblancos much interested in signing Olympique Lyonnais striker Moussa Dembele on loan with an option to buy.

Diego Simeone's side lost a beast in front of goal after the Brazilian-born Costa cancelled his contract with the Wanda Metropolitano outfit last season due to lack of game time with the arrival and firing of Luis Suarez.

He rejoined Atleti in 2018 from Chelsea for €60M but injury has kept him from reaching his very best - unlike when he was with Atletico in his first spell.

Another factor that held Costa was that he was not the first choice in attack compared to his best season in 2013 when he was the main man after the departure of Radamel Falcao.

READ ALSO: January Transfer: Costa Set To Miss Chelsea Reunion As Exit Looms

Since his return, he had been behind Antoine Griezmann (who left for Barcelona), Alvaro Morata (joined Juventus), Joao Felix, and Luis Suarez.

Rojiblancos are interested in Lyon's striker, Dembele with an initial loan deal and an option to buy.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the interest of Atletico Madrid in the French-born striker in the winter transfer window via his tweet.

Atlético Madrid are one step away from signing Moussa Dembele from OL as Costa replacement. Agreement set to be completed loan with buy option.

Personal terms agreed - medicals pending. After trying for Milik and Willian José, he’ll be the striker. Here we go soon. ?⚪️ #atleti https://t.co/4QUfKuC7lz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 10, 2021

Dembele has scored just 1 goal in 16 appearances for Ligue 1 side Lyon for the 2020-21 season as he has fallen down the pecking order behind Ekambi and Kadewere.

Ekambi has scored 9 goals, Kadewere is on his 7th goal of the season making them better partners to Barcelona-bound Memphis Depay ahead of Dembele.

In 16 appearances, he has started just 6 - a loan move will give him more game time though Lyon looks to take him off their books with an option to buy in the deal.