Transfer Window Is Open

By: Corey | January 8th, 2008

Who let all the cold air in? Haha, very funny. Welcome to my first post here on The France Offside, I will be teaming up with Sam to bring you more frequent coverage of all thing French footie related. Lets start with the latest transfer gossip.

- Karim Benzema, Lyon wonder boy, is rumored to be wanted by every club under the sun. but MU have tabled a 30 million euro bid which Jean Michel Auluas has turned away. Real Madrid on the other hand have offered 35 million which I assume Jean Michel has turned away too, but the reports say Real will do whatever they can to get Benz this summer, presumably before the Euro’s when he smokes Italy and make Domenech not look like such an idiot for running his mouth 24/7. Let cross our fingers that Karim graces the fields of Ligue 1 for one more season though.

- Also with Lyon, Hatem Ben Arfa is said to be wanted be Arsene Wenger (duh), and there is a swap deal in the works involving Lassana Diarra. Plausable, but Lyon wont part with Ben Arfa so early either. Lyon also are shipping Nadir Belhadj off to Lens, although it doesnt look like its official yet but the talk on Inara’s page is its as good as gold ,while Fred is likely to move to Paul Le Guens PSG. Hmm, Lyon seem to be the most active in the transfer market yet again.

- Nice stand out keepr Hugo Lloris is said to be wanted by AC Milan who like Inter and Roma, have a stable of shotty keepers, like Hugo very much. So do Parma and Inter. Lyon do too. Hugo has the pick of the litter if he wants to move, one would assume he stays at Nice for the remainder of the year as well.

- Ex-Rennes midfielder Yoann Gourcuff wants to stick with Milan, although he would be a good bet for the France squad if he just got more playing time. He had this to say about Milan: “I am very pleased with the support I have received from (coach) Carlo Ancelotti. In the resumption of the championship, we will have many commitments and perhaps those who usually play less will have the opportunity to play some more.

“The work that we are doing these days in Dubai will be very important for the next five months. Personally, I am happy at Milan and I hope day by day to improve and be a first team regular.”

Hope you do succeed Yoann.

- Marseille chairman Pape Diouf has decided Djibirl Cisse will stay with the team for the remainder of the year and will not move this winter after Man City made a tentative offer. Whether Cisse likes this or not remainds to be seen, but as he will get a shot with Niang at the African Cup of Nations, he probably can live with it.

- Dumbass Julien Faubert is slowly returning to fitness after an achilles tear this preseason after turning Roma down for the greener (green as in money) pastures of West Ham. He scored for the reserves and should make it to the first team by the end of the month, but making it to the Euro squad, now that seems unlikely.

- Kanga Akale joined Marsielle, we all knew that already

- Fode Mansare had extended his contract with Toulouse until 2011

- Rio Mavuba, who has played more recently at Villareal, could move to Monaco on loand if he can, but Manuel Pelligrini, Villareal coach, seems content to keep him so I dont know if this will happen.

- 27 year old Kandia Traore, Ligue 2 striker with Le Harve and as Francefootball points out, ex partner of Jean Micheal Lesage, could be on his way to Sochaux, who desperately need someone to score goals because Sebastien Grax and Dagano are not getting it done.

- Chateauroux of ligue 2 have recruited Italian defender Matteo Bertoli from Serie C side Legnano.

Thats it for today, I will be back sometime this week with more transfer news or anything else Ligue1/2 related. Also, check me out at real.theoffside.com. Later.