Lyon are believed to be demanding a fee in the region of €80 million for Nabil Fekir, as Chelsea continue to monitor the player.
According to Alfredo Pedulla, the Blues had been willing to offer somewhere in the region of €60 million for the player, even at this late stage of the transfer window.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to ensure that Lyon do not lose the player on the cheap.
Fekir has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent days, with Chelsea considering a late move.
Liverpool have also been keen to bring the player to the Premier League and even had a deal agreed for the player before the move fell through with concerns over his medical history.
Chelsea’s move for Mateo Kovacic may mean that the Blues delay interest in Fekir until next summer after a busy end to the transfer window.
The Croatian midfielder has arrived on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid.
