By Milcah Tanimu

Gift Orban, the 21-year-old Nigerian striker who joined KAA Gent in the 2022-23 summer transfer window, is reportedly set to make a move to Olympique Lyon. The forward is expected to finalize the deal with the Ligue 1 club for a reported fee of around €13 million.

Despite previous links to prominent teams such as Barcelona, Leeds United, and Tottenham, Lyon seems to be securing Orban’s signature. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the imminent deal, and according to Lequipe, Orban is set to travel to Lyon on Wednesday.

Orban made a name for himself as a formidable striker during his initial six months with Gent, scoring an impressive 20 goals in 22 games. His quick hat-trick in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League against Basaksehir showcased his prowess. While this season has not seen him at his peak, with 12 goals in 30 appearances for Gent, his overall record of 32 goals in 52 appearances has garnered attention from numerous clubs.

Orban’s performances also attracted interest from Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, who personally scouted him in Belgium. However, Orban faced an issue with his nationality, leading to his exclusion from the squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.