Lyon hope to secure a deal for Aston Villa striker Milan Baros
within the next 72 hours.
Baros has emerged as the French champions' top target as Gerard
Houllier looks to recruit a new front man before the close of the
transfer window.
Houllier admitted last week that he had been in contact with the
Czech Republic international's agent regarding a move to Stade
Gerland.
Club chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has also admitted Lyon's interest
and there have been reports that John Carew could be offered as
part of a swap deal.
Sources at the club have also suggested that Baros will be holding
discussions concerning a possible transfer on Monday.
And Lyon's sporting director Bernard Lacombe confirmed the club are
aiming to finalise a deal for the player in the first half of the
week.
Lacombe told AFP: "I can't be more precise, but I think that Milan
Baros will be at Lyon in under 72 hours, maybe Monday or
Tuesday."
Baros has yet to establish himself as Martin O'Neill's first choice
at Villa Park and has been linked with a winter switch to the likes
of Chelsea, Real Sociedad and Werder Bremen.
He has worked with Houllier before, with the former Liverpool boss
having taken the forward to the Premiership back in 2001.