A Flurry of Activity in Ligue 1

Hey everybody, I am back. As Sam has come back to action I thought I would too, as I have nothing to do at work so posting keeps me occupied. I want to discuss some of the activity in the transfer market which is already pretty hot and heavy before the European Championship even starts! I think we need to look at a few confirmed moves and a few possible moves before we get into the superlatives and if thens/maybes/non-commitals.

First off, as Sam pointed out, Gourcuff has returned to France, with Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux. You would be a liar if you said this wasnt a great move, as Gourcuff has loads of potential that went to waste on the Milan bench this past year. Bordeaux need a few astute signings at the back, one of which looks to be off-an-on Manchester United player Mickeal Silvestre. A deal is reportedly very close which means that Bordeuax has added a very experienced utility player to the backline that will come in hand in the CL.

There is also very serious rumors of Yoan Gouffran moving to Bordeaux. This it to seems more the prospect of playing the Champions League then making a step up in his career, since it was always stated Arsenal were very interested in him. Gouffran would obviously add quality to the team, but it begs the question, where do all the pieces fit into the puzzle? Alejandro Alonso usually plays were Gouffran would, and he switches flanks with Wendel alot, so I guess theres more depth in the wide areas which also boasts Jussie and Juan Pablo Francia (no word is he is still MIA).

But there is also the problem that Blanc loves the 5 man midfield, which means 1 of Chamakh, Cavenaghi and Bellion fight it out for the lone spot up front? And then there is Gabriel Obertan, the sensationally talented forward, right winger that has the ability to dribble past an entire team. And we wont even talk about teen phenom Henri Saivet, who made his competitive debut at the end of this season and who is out of this world. Couple that with the emergence of Pierre Ducasse as a solid central midfielder to partner Alou Diarra and the presence of Fernando and you have alot of options to work with. Although it may not be a CL winning side, its definately a Ligue 1 contender. 1 or 2 more defensive signings to help Planus, Jurietti and the gang and they will be in business.

Lyon, seeing that Bordeuax fought tooth and nail with them this year, have looked to strenghten all over as well. As Inara had pointed out, there is little discontent in the Lyon camp this offseason, with no players asking out as of yet. Benzema and Ben Arfa are constant targets for big clubs, while Patty Muller has walked away, with Grenoble very interested in him. Inara also points out the Reviellere and Kallstrom are keeping their options open and Fred is as usual a mystery.

And Sidney Govou will once again play his leaving/staying dance, although this time Atletico Madrid are seriously interested in him. And of course club stalwart Gregory Coupet is on his way out looking for one last challenge abroad before he retires. Hats off the Greg, who will start his first major international tournament this summer, its been a long time coming. I suppose the biggest exit hanging in the balance is the fairly unpopular Alain Perrin, who despite winning the teams first domestic double, looks set for the exit. Jean Micheal Aulas has a whole host of high profile names on his list, and Perrin does not stack up to any of them so my guess its lights out.

As for who is coming in, it was confirmed back in January that Ederson would sign, and he is being accompanied by best friends forever Hugo Lloris. The Nice stopper signed on the dotted line this past week, and is tremendously excited to have signed for the 7 time champs. Aulas has given Nice the ability to have first refusal on hot prospect Loic Remy, who had a great half season on loan at relegated Lens. There is also rumors of Stefan Lichsteiner and Jean II Makoun both coming from Lille to Lyon, with a 15 million euro price for Makoun often touted, as Lyon continues to mine Ligue 1 gold.

Marseille have had a rather quiet market, letting a few players go, including Krupoviesa, Oruma and Kanga Akale. They also look set to loose the eternally moody Djibril Cisse to the EPL, while Samir Nasri gets closer to Arsenal every day. Modeste MBami wants out as well, also for the EPL and it looks as though Marseille will honor that request. Jacques Faty and Gael Givet may be on the chopping block, while Cedric Carasso, Ziani and Zenden all with futures in doubt. Marseille is protecting its assests pretty well though, with prized posessions Lorik Cana and Taye Taiwo obvious targets for big clubs but Marseille has shielded them well.

As for incoming players, Vitorio Hilton has already signed, with Ronald Zubar rumored to be heading the other way on loan. Brazilian forward Kim is excited to join Marseille, except no deal had been discussed with Nancy yet, so that remains to be seen. Diakhate would like to come back from the cold of the Ukraine, with Mamadou Niang luring his country men in, while Hatem Ben Arfa continues to be linked, although unsubstantiated, to Marseille.

They also have been going on a recruiting drive in Tunisia, with Emine Arbati, a central defender, and Soufiane Alloudi, a central midfielder, also likely to join from Arab clubs. Ait Ben Iidir, Le Harve’s creative spark, has also been in talks with Marseille, and this looks like it will happen sooner rather then later, as Marseille takes on an even more North African flavor. Although many of Marseilles signings are of qualtiy, it seems they may be a bit back to the title chasing crowd, although I am sure a 3rd place finish is in the cards.

AS Nancy have very little to do with the transfer market, with only Kim being involved with Marseille and Zenit St. Petersburg. Lille has also been muddling along, doing some quite business while the big boys compete for names. They have signed Emil Lyng, a 19 year old Sweedish striker from AGH Arus, while they interested in no name players Sofiane Feghouli, Yves Desmarets and Abdelmajid Oulmers, all midfielders. Tony Sylva looks set to leave, to either Renns or Nice, and Ludovic Butelle is the likely replacement. Rio Mavuba also will return to Vilarreal, although no one believes he will stay there, so his next destination is unknown. Jean II Makoun may move to Lyon, although he has interest in the EPL, while Lille will start the season without their up-and-coming star Kevin Mirallas who is on Olympic duty with Belgium. Patrick Kluiverts future also remains a doubt.

The biggest question for Lille is who will be there coach next season. Lyon appear interested in Claude Puel, but Lille’s chairman does not want him to leave. Julien at the Lille Offside does not think a coaching change is a bad idea, and he offers Ellie Baup as the next Les Dogues manager in cause Puel was to leave. With a new stadium in the works, Lille is at a vital point in its clubs history.

PSG will begin their rebuilding process with the signing of Marko Basa from Le Mans and Guill Horau from Le Harve, while Lorient were able to Bouchard to a new contract and look to complete the signing of young prospect Kevin Gamiero, who was top scorer of the Toulon Tournament two years ago. Le Mans have lost De Melo to Parma, Matsui to St Etienne, Le Tallec to Liverpool and look set to loose Yebda as well, and they have only brought in two players from Bevereen so far. Rumor has it Matheiu Coutaduer wants out as well as Le Mans looks like an early relegation canidate along with Grenoble.

The other Ligue 1 teams has so far been getting their loaned players back and working on deals, but nothing major has come up from the other half of Ligue 1. So what do you think about the early deals so far?

Category: France Ligue 1

Tags: France Ligue 1

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share