Chelsea & Liverpool Target Leaves Aulas Sweating

Lyon is being forced to play a waiting game over the future of Chelsea and Liverpool striker target Bafetimbi Gomis.

The 27-year-old has helped fire his club to second in the Ligue 1 table this term, but is out of contract at the Stade Gerland at the end of the season.

And, if the former Saint-Etienne starlet does not pen a new deal with Les Gones in the coming days, then he can expect to be on his way before the end of the month.

"Lyon does not want a player of such quality to become a free agent in six months," chairman Jean-Michel Aulas told L'Equipe.

"The objective is either to prolong his contract or transfer him out."

Speculation has linked the French international with a move to the Premier League, with both the Blues and Reds reported to be keen on the player.

And, with just over a week left in the transfer window, Aulas appears to be getting frustrated at the situation, having predicted a quick resolution just under a fortnight ago.

"Of course, all the talk is about him moving to England, but there are other European clubs interested in him too. I'm sure things will begin to accelerate in the next couple of weeks and we expect things to be sorted soon," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has already made one addition in the transfer window, with Demba Ba moving to Stamford Bridge from Newcastle United.

However, the west London outfit is far from flush in the position, with mis-firing Spaniard Fernando Torres the only other senior option available at Stamford Bridge.

Gomis would add an extra dimension to the Chelsea attack if they were to bring him to west London, although competition is likely to be fierce for the signature.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have also made a signing in the position this January, with Daniel Sturridge arriving at Anfield.

But, much like the Blues, manager Brendan Rodgers is short of senior options, with Luis Suarez the only other out-and-out striker currently available on Merseyside.

Were Liverpool to sign Gomis, he'd also add to their side in a number of ways, but it appears the ball is currently in the player's court as he decides on his Ligue 1 future.