Laurent Blanc’s Lyon to land Cork defender Jake O'Brien

They intended placing the 6ft 5in defender with Troyes, just relegated from Ligue One, but it will be Laurent Blanc’s Lyon that he’s heading for in France on a long-term contract once Palace finalise the sale.

LYON BOUND: French giants Lyon have beaten Manchester City’s group to the signing of Jake O’Brien, with Cork City receiving a six-figure sell-on windfall. Pic@ ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

French giants Lyon have beaten Manchester City’s group to the signing of Jake O’Brien, with Cork City receiving a six-figure sell-on windfall.

City Group, the multiclub mothership of the Premier League champions, lodged their interest in the Cork-born Crystal Palace defender earlier in the summer by tabling a €1.35m bid.