Olympique Lyon set to sign youngster snubbed by Super Eagles

Gift Orban is set to swell the Nigerian contingent in the French Ligue 1, with Lyon reportedly close to bagging the Gent man.

Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyon is closing in on the transfer of Nigerian striker Gift Orban from Belgian side KAA Gent.

Pulse Sports can report that Orban, who was ignored by Nigeria Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro for AFCON2023 is expected to swap Belgium for France this January.

Gift Orban nears Lyon move

According to the reliable transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old will become a Lyon player in a matter of hours.

"Olympique Lyon are set to sign Gift Orban, as deal is being sealed as @hugoguillemet revealed on L'Équipé," Romano stated in a post on X.

"Fantastic signing for OL as final details are being sorted, it will be done in the next hours," he added.

Orban, who was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year for 2023, has been one of the most sought-after players since he joined Jupiler side Gent in January 2023.

He scored 27 goals and provided two assists in 38 appearances in his first six months to fire Gent to UEFA competitions.

Before his move to Gent in January, the Super Eagles star played for Norwegian side Stabæk where he scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in 24 appearances.

Orban's form at Gent quickly caught the attention of Europe's elite clubs led by Premier League side, Tottenham, who considered the youngster as a possible replacement for club legend Harry Kane, who left the North London side for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich last summer.

However, he remained in Belgium but seems set to become the latest Nigeria to move to the French Ligue 1, where Nigerian strikers like Akor Adams and Terem Moffi have excelled.