Abidal ready to hold out to join Barça
-
Eric Abidal is ready to snub Lyon's preseason training because he wants to leave the six-time defending French champion and join Barcelona.
Lyon has turned down an initial offer of $17.5 million from the Spanish club for the France defender, and Abidal's adviser said the player is ready to defy the club.
"I don't think Eric will be present for the resumption of training on Monday," David Venditelli told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "He's annoyed at the way things have turned out."
Although Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said Abidal can leave, he wants closer to $26.9 million for Abidal, who has made 24 appearances for France and played in last year's World Cup final loss to Italy.
Lyon signed the 26-year-old Abidal from Lille for $ 13.4 million in 2004. Part of that deal included giving Lille 50 percent of any profits made if Lyon then sold Abidal on for more than they bought him.
Aulas has twice been at loggerheads with key players seeking a summer transfer.
In 2005, Michael Essien skipped training and eventually got his move to English Premier League team Chelsea, and last year Mahamadou Diarra stood his ground and joined Real Madrid. Aulas initially blocked both moves.
Aulas could also sell winger Florent Malouda to Chelsea. He has agreed to Malouda's transfer request, providing it's completed by Saturday.
According to Wednesday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe, Aulas has turned down Chelsea's offer of $22.9 million for the France winger, but the newspaper said Aulas would sell for $29.6 million.
Lyon has already sold midfielder Tiago to Juventus, and replaced him with Mathieu Bodmer of Lille. Ivory Coast winger Abdulkader Keita has also joined Lyon from Lille. -
barca and munich are buying players as if they've won the title already
-
27mil for a left back?
-
Barcelona is making big signings.
Cheers.
CK -
Ahh so heres the replacement for Gio, who moved to Feyenoord.
