Tyler Morton moved to Lyon from Liverpool in August but is already reported to be attracting Premier League interest
UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyler Morton of Olympique Lyonnais looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Utrecht and Olympique Lyonnais at Stadion Galgenwaard on September 25, 2025 in Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Tyler Morton has been in fine form for Lyon following his summer move from Liverpool
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As has become customary at Liverpool, the decision to sell Tyler Morton to Lyon in the summer transfer window saw a 20% sell-on clause negotiated into the deal. The Wirral-born midfielder had been keen to kick-start his senior career for some time and was finally granted his wish when the Ligue 1 side came calling in late July.
Morton had been wanted by a string of clubs in the Championship the previous summer while Xabi Alonso had also made phone calls around a potential deal for Bayer Leverkusen before he eventually stayed put on Merseyside.
"It’s a funny story," Morton reflected to SportBible about that particular development recently.
“I was on a golf course with my mates at the time. I got a text from my agent, who said: 'Xabi Alonso’s going to call you soon'.
"I’d heard about the move but didn’t speak about it too much because I’d been told I wasn’t leaving Liverpool. Xabi told me how highly he rates me as a player. They wanted to sign me."
Morton added: "[Leverkusen] came in quite late that summer, but I spoke to the manager (Arne Slot) about it and Liverpool wanted me to stay. I spoke to my agent, and we were pushing a move, but it was difficult.
"Liverpool told me I couldn’t leave at the time, which was fair enough, but if you want to go and play, then you’ve got to push it.
"I asked the manager. He was open with me and said he was going to keep me around. Nothing was going to change his mind."
Slot and his staff decided that midfield cover was needed and the England Under-21 international stayed put. A shoulder injury in January also put paid to any mid-season move last season before he was finally granted his exit after the club returned from their pre-season tour of the Far East at the beginning of August.
In total he made 14 appearances for his boyhood club, including five across the cup competitions last season under Slot, and he has made a sparkling start to life in France, despite OL's well-documented financial issues.
Reports in France, however, have already claimed Morton is attracting Premier League interest, with Crystal Palace linked in connection with a move.
It's reported in Jeunes Footeux that Palace "are indeed preparing for the post-Adam Wharton era" and are looking to cover their bases should the England international leave, by earmarking Morton as a possible replacement.
Michael Gerlinger, the general manager of OL, confirmed recently that "financially, things are not going very well," with the French club narrowly escaping a demotion to Ligue 2 after an appeal in the summer.
Interest from a Premier League club in a young midfielder might be something that could appeal to the cash-strapped French side, despite the positive start Morton has made to life with les Gones.
The 23-year-old is said to be happy in France and unlikely to push for a move but admiration from the Premier League would understandably pique the interest of a young, ambitious player. It means Liverpool may potentially benefit from the sell-on clause inserted into the deal.