Transfer Rumors: Trezeguet, Alou Diarra and assorted Lyon guys

Rumors, rumors everywhere. I love transfer time, because you can spread all of the gossip you want and nobody ever holds you responsible when it turns out not to be true. So let’s continue with more rumors. Which other France players may (or may not) be going somewhere?

It’s been weeks since we checked into the latest David Trezeguet rumors, which as I’ve said, have cycled back and forth between “I’m staying at Juventus” and “I’m going” on a daily basis. David complicated matters recently by scoring a goal for Juve and then making this gesture in the direction of Juventus management. What does this mean, exactly? I have no idea, not being fluent in Italian Hand Gesture. But I don’t think it’s good. It looks like the action of a man determined to cut his tethers and fly free. Where will he land, though? That’s the question, isn’t it? We’ve still got all the usual suspects, like [insert every team capable of paying big money for a poacher.]

The rumor I find most interesting? Trezeguet to Arsenal. This is being written up as a way to keep Thierry Henry happy. Which, as we all know, is the ultimate goal of everybody associated with the club. What do you think? At first I thought it was a horrible idea. I mean, you only have to look at how empty this partnership has been for the France NT recently to see that it won’t work. On the other hand, though? If there’s any chance at all for David and Titi to regain the glory and chemistry of their former union… Well, why not let them go through the learning curve on Arsenal’s time rather than on France’s? So Arsene? Go for it.

But then again, he just might stay at Juve. Because we all know how happy he was there this season, and none of us are sick of listening to him whine or anything.

And then we have Alou Diarra, who has not exactly been on great terms with Lyon management. How bad are things between Alou and Lyon? Well, you know those ads where they say, “Buy this car and we’ll throw in a toaster for free?” Alou is the toaster. I’ve seen a couple of links that have Lyon saying, “We’ll take XX from you for $$ and guess what? We’ll toss in Alou to make it worth your while.” Ouch.

Or maybe not. The most recent rumors I’m seeing offer up the possibility of Alou-to-Portsmouth for £4 million. Or even £5 million. He’s worth that much, right? However, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has been cagey, saying a deal for Alou is “not imminent.” Says Harry:

“Alou Diarra’s a good player. I don’t know if you would be able to get him out of Lyon, but I like him.

Because yeah. I’m quite certain that Lyon is desperate to hold on to a player they don’t like and have no need of.

Update from Inara: I read that Pompey’s initial bid of €6.5million for Diarra was rejected. Pompey have submitted a new bid of €8.5million (Lyon have priced Diarra at €9million), which Aulas was willing to discuss. But now rumors say that Bremen have outbid Pompey and have offered the €10million. Not bad for the human equivalent of a toaster who’s played like 500 minutes all season.

And as for other Lyon guys? I’ll let you turn to Inara for all of your latest transfer gossip, because she’s on top of all the latest and greatest rumors. I’ll just say that Florent Malouda is going somewhere, probably, if the price is right. What is that price? Try £17 million. Will anybody pay that? Maybe. Liverpool and Arsenal are the most recent names to pop up.

From Inara: Rumors have it that Liverpool have offered €15million for Malouda, but Chelsea have offered €20million.
From Laurie: ACK! NO! Not Chelsea!!! I don’t want Malouda at Chelsea!! Damn, I hate Abramovich and his billions.

And Eric Abidal is going somewhere, probably somewhere Spanish, if he can get Lyon to agree to terms. We were all expecting him to go to Barcelona, but alas, our Eric forgot to play hard to get. He let everybody know how much he wanted to go there. And Barca apparently prefers to be the hunter rather than the hunted, because now they’re offering only a paltry 9 million Euros. Think Lyon will accept that? Oh, puh-leeze. Last I read, their asking price was 20 million.

From Inara: Barcelona have submitted a new bid for Abidal at €12million. That’s some progress.

And that’s it for today. More fun and games later this week.