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Lyon hint at Carew-Baros swap

Lyon are confident of signing Milan Baros, with John Carew mooted as a makeweight.

Lyon look to be closing in on the signing of Milan Baros from Aston Villa in a deal that could see John Carew move the other way.

OL boss Gerard Houllier revealed on Friday that he had made contact with the Czech international's agent, and club supremo Jean-Michel Aulas has now confirmed that a signing is 'imminent'.

Baros has been linked with a host of clubs in January, including Real Sociedad, Chelsea, Werder Bremen, and Martin O'Neill's move for Ashley Young has left him expendable at Villa Park.

Now, Lyon look to be on the brink of bringing Baros to the club he rejected in 2005.

"There will be an imminent arrival of a striker," said Aulas. "Baros is a player who strongly interests us."

"Contacts have been established (with Baros)"

Aulas has also hinted that Villa could receive out-of-favour Lyon striker John Carew in part exchange.

The Norwegian hit-man will leave Stade Gerland in January and Aulas believes the giant striker 'could fit perfectly' into the Premiership.

The French club will also look to secure the signature of Rangers midfielder Jeremy Clement, who only moved to Scotland from Lyon in the summer.

"Jeremy Clement is a perfectly credible eventuality," Aulas confirmed.

However, former Gers boss Paul Le Guen is also keen to recruit his former player at his new club, Paris Saint Germain.

"It is true that we are interested," said Le Guen. "I had him at Lyon, I had him at Glasgow. He is a young player with experience both abroad and at a big club like Lyon.

"He is a left-sided player who can bring us new possibilities. It isn't the only option because we know it won't be easy, but he is one. Clearly."