French giants Olympique Lyon have joined the race to sign Ghana striker Mahatma Otoo, according to reports in the Ghanaian media.

The 21-year-old is being courted by English Premier League side Sunderland after his impressive scoring run in the Ghanaian Premier League for Accra Hearts of Oak.

Lyon scouts have equally been following the development of the former Ghana U23 forward and are ready to ship him to the Stade Municipal de Gerland when the transfer window opens.

Both Sunderland and Lyon are impressed with Mahatma who has hit ten goals for Hearts of Oak in domestic football this season.

However, Lyon will have to rush talks as Sunderland have already started talks with Hearts officials.

Mahatma has been named in the Ghana squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Sudan on Sunday.