Vincent Aboubakar’s excellent 2013–2014 season with Lorient (16 goals in 35 Ligue 1 matches) has understandably put him on the radar of major European clubs, just as he heads into the 2014 World Cup with Cameroon.
According to reports, Chelsea—led by José Mourinho at the time—are monitoring him, alongside two other English clubs, including Leicester City, who were preparing for life in the Premier League after promotion. Aboubakar, still only 22 then and signed on a free transfer from Valenciennes, represents a valuable asset for Lorient. A transfer fee of around €5 million was already being discussed.
Lorient, anticipating his departure, moved quickly by targeting Benjamin Jeannot from Nancy as a potential replacement. Jeannot, also 22, scored 6 goals in 35 Ligue 2 matches and had just one year left on his contract—making him an affordable and strategic signing.
If the deal had gone through, it would have been both a profitable sale and a forward-looking replacement strategy for FC Lorient.
