Lyon manager Laurent Blanc has dismissed any suggestion Malo Gusto will leave the club this month.
The French U-21 international is a target for free-spending Chelsea as Graham Potter looks to bring in cover for Reece James.
Gusto is thought to have already agreed personal terms with the Blues and wants to move to Stamford Bridge this month.
The Ligue 1 club, however, wish to keep Gusto for the rest of the season, even if that were to be on loan after selling to Chelsea.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has stressed the 19-year-old will not be allowed to leave but Chelsea are thought to have been undeterred by such comments, particularly given the French side’s history when it comes to selling key players.
An attacking right-back who is seen as having similar athletic attributes to England international James, Gusto has 18 months left on his contract, meaning time is running for Lyon to command anything approaching maximum value.
Still, they continue to hold firm in their stance.
Blanc said on Friday: “The board have guaranteed to me that [Ryan] Cherki and Gusto will be here until the end of the season.”
