Lyon have opened negotiations with Heart of Midlothian regarding the transfer of Portuguese striker Claudio Braga, with the Scottish club reportedly valuing the 26-year-old at €10m.
The forward enjoyed a productive campaign last season, registering 14 goals and five assists as Hearts competed in the Scottish Premiership. His performances have attracted interest from Ligue 1, where Lyon are seeking to strengthen their attacking options.
Braga remains under contract with Hearts until 2028, giving the Edinburgh club a strong negotiating position. However, the player is understood to be keen on a move to France. Reports suggest Braga is attracted by the prospect of working under Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca, with the shared Portuguese nationality a significant factor in his interest.
Attack Rebuild
The French club’s pursuit of Braga comes amid a reshaping of their forward line. Endrick has returned to parent club Real Madrid following the conclusion of his loan spell, removing one attacking option from the squad. Additionally, Lyon recently sanctioned the permanent transfer of winger Afonso Moreira to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth €32m.
Those departures have left Fonseca with significant gaps to fill as he prepares his squad for the upcoming campaign. Braga’s goalscoring record in Scotland suggests he could provide the firepower Lyon require, though any deal would require substantial investment given the four years remaining on his contract.
Negotiation Status
Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but Lyon have yet to meet Hearts’ reported €10m asking price. The Scottish club are under no immediate pressure to sell given Braga’s long-term commitment, meaning the French side may need to increase their offer to secure the striker’s services.
Should the transfer proceed, it would represent a significant step up for the 26-year-old, moving from the Scottish Premiership to one of Europe’s major leagues. For Lyon, landing a proven domestic scorer appears essential as they look to compensate for the loss of both Endrick and Moreira this summer.