Gossip

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After West Ham have signed Freddy Ljungberg this morning from Arsenal it would appear that a 2nd Swedish midfielder could be on his way to another club. This morning reports have surfaced in Spain via Spanish sports daily Marca that Olympique Lyon and Valencia are in negotiations to swap Fernando Morientes with Kim Kallstrom. This news has been rebuffed by Lyon, who claim that although a bid was received for their Swedish midfielder Kallstrom, they have never approached Valencia about Morientes.

Valencia are thought to have turned their attention to Kallstrom after they failed in a bid to bring Lucho Gonzalez to the Mestalla from Porto although a fee was agreed with the Portuguese champions, personal terms couldn’t be thrashed out with the Argentine. As a result Valencia have cooled on the idea of signing Gonzalez and instead switched their attention to Kallstrom at Lyon.

Lyon issued a statement this morning saying that they were ‘surprised’ such stories had been printed in the Spanish press this morning and their Communications Director Oliver Blanc went on to say that “we haven’t made an offer for Morientes and we are not in contact with Valencia”. He continued regarding Kallstrom’s situation “that Valencia had indeed made an offer but that it hadn’t been accepted”. It is believed that the offer was in the region of �12 million.

Whether Kallstrom would be keen on a move to Spain is unknown, as he has only been under contract at Lyon for a season after he arrived from Rennes last summer. Valencia have looked to bolster their midfield options as their regular central duo of David Albelda and Ruben Baraja has been very injury prone and seldom seen forming their usual strong partnership last season in La Liga. Valencia also have Portuguese playmaker Hugo Viana under contract but he has failed to leave up to his potential since arriving from Newcastle, where he also failed to settle, and he could make way for the arrival of Kallstrom. It is also thought that Valencia prefer the option of Kallstrom to Gonzalez as the Lyon midfielder is seen as a better organiser than the current Argentine midfielder, who was involved in the recent Copa America campaign.

An intriguing aspect to this story is the link that has now emerged between Morientes and Lyon, who according to Marca have a �10 million cheque ready for the player and that Valencia will be hoping to use Morientes as a make-weight in the Kallstrom deal. Morientes despite having a strong season for Valencia and forming an outstanding partnership with current striking partner David Villa could be on his way out of La Liga. The Spanish striker enjoyed an excellent season on loan in France back in 2003 when he was loaned to AS Monaco when he reached the final of the Champions League. An unsuccessful spell in England with Liverpool proceeded this last season in Spain.

New Lyon manager, Alain Perrin, who arrived in the summer from French cup holders Sochaux, is thought to favour a 4-4-2 system, a change from the more common 4-3-3 formation that Lyon have adopted under both Paul le Guen and Gerard Houllier. At this moment Lyon have several striking options, despite having moved Sylvain Wiltord onto Rennes this summer, but no out and out striker, who is currently fit and ready to be pressed into service. In the recent Peace Cup tournament, which the French team won at the expense of Bolton Wanderers in Korea, Lyon played with Karim Benzema up front with Keita, nominally a right winger tucked in behind him. But with Fred still on the injured list after breaking a metatarsal and Baros interesting several German teams including Werder Bremen, Lyon could end up a little short up front. They have been credited with an interest in amongst others Johan Elmander, who was also in line for a move to Manchester City, Nicolas Anelka, who could be available if the price offered was right and has been linked with a move back to Arsenal and also Louis Saha.