[J_746]

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According to a report emanating from L’Equipe, Saint-Etienne have reached an agreement with Diego Tardelli that has seen the Atletico Mineiro striker take a step closer to signing for les Verts, who are currently pointless in Ligue 1 at the present time.

The striker has been linked with a move to the Loire side for several weeks, but over the course of the last few days, whispers regarding his future have grown increasingly more audible. Indeed, it seems that Sainte have finally broken the resistance of the 24-year-old’s club and have agreed a fee for the frontman.

A four-year contract is reputedly waiting to be signed, though the Parisian-based sports daily notes that the player has agreed terms with Saint-Etienne. It is, however, stated that the deal is complex and that no figure regarding the value of the move has been estimated.

Called into the Brazilian international side to face Estonia in mid-August, Tardelli is considered to be a player with a bright future in the game. He has registered nine goals for the Galo in 17 appearances this year, and has been signed by les Verts to pep up an attack that badly needs a cutting edge.

Last week, Boubacar Sanogo was signed from Werder Bremen, though he was unable to inspire his side to a point against newly promoted Boulogne-Sur-Mer at home last Saturday.

The 1-0 defeat left fans fuming, but the news that Tardelli is on the verge of signing will certainly provide them with some optimism

Source: Goal.com

Another striker to St Etienne it seems. The way things are going, they may have too many half-decent strikers on their books! :lol: . With Sanogo, Ilan, Mirallas, Payet and now Tardelli, Perrin will have a lot of attacking quality at his disposal. Though it is still unclear whether he'll still be in a job a few weeks down the line.

or...will it be this man to join Saint Etienne...

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San Lorenzo striker Gonzalo Bergessio could return to Europe, if his Argentine club come to an agreement with Saint-Etienne of France in the following hours.

The agent of the player, Raul Delgado, is currently in negotiations with directors of Saint-Etienne, and if everything goes to plan, Bergessio will be announced the latest incorporation of the side.

Bergessio, 25, scored San Lorenzo's first goal in the 3-1 victory over Atletico Tucuman in round one of the Argentine Apertura Championship on the weekend.

The former Benfica attacker has attracted the attention of several top European clubs in recent weeks, including AC Milan, but it seems that he is destined to play for Saint-Etienne.

According to the Argentine press, it is very likely that the player will sign for the French outfit, but this depends on whether San Lorenzo believe they will be able to replace him.

Although a move to Europe would benefit the player financially, it may not be a very good idea with the World Cup just around the corner. Failure to adapt to French football could risk his participation in South Africa.

Source: Goal.com

Remains to be seen...

[Vidic15]

Pretty sure that happened mate.

Soccerlens list it.

[Bosko]

Diego Tardelli has remained with Atlético Mineiro, but Gonzalo Rubén Bergessio has made the switch, from San Lorenzo. Both were interesting targets, given that they have previous opportunities in Europe and not taken them. Tardelli has only recently started realising the potential he demonstrated earlier in his career and appears to have matured and cooled his hotheadedness. His form has only picked up recently and it remains to be seen whether he is simply in a good run, or if the ability is actually. Success back in Europe would confirm the later, but it seems Dunga sees something in him. Bergessio was never given a fair opportunity at Benfica, but he was also impatient. He failed to have an immediate impact and preferred to return to Argentina, after just six months, rather than fighting more for his place. He did very well with San Lorenzo and had other opportunities aside from Saint-Étienne. From his point of view, this is a switch which represents something of a gamble, given the unstable nature of the club. If he can settle he will be an excellent addition, but I remain unconvinced that he can make a significant impact.

[J_746]

Time to get this going again seeing as the January window is now open!

Mathieu Valbuena is looking for a way out of Marseille this window. According to his official website & L'Equipe, he is unhappy with the substitute appearances he is making and looking for something more substantial for the future. He has also stated, however, that he does not know what his future holds but has received a few attractive proposals.

According to L'Equipe, Le Mans are looking to recruit Slovakian international goalkeeper Ján Mucha from Legia Varsova to cover the loss of Didier Ovono who wnt to represent Gabon at the African Cup of Nations. Other players on their wanted list include Damien Gregorini (Nancy), Vincent Planté (Saint Etienne) & Rudi Riou (Marseille).

Ligue 2's top goalscorer Olivier Giroud is being tracked by Middlesbrough and Celtic, however he is also attrcting interest from Sochaux, Caen, Monaco, Valenciennes and Montpellier who could all yet make a move. Giroud has yet to comment on whether or not he'd welcome the move at this stage (FranceFootball.fr).

Arsene Wenger has reportedly stated that he will not make a move for Chamakh in the January window due to his contractual ties with Ligue 1 Champions Bordeaux (FranceFootball.fr).

Wigan Athletic midfielder Olivier Kapo is keeping his options open about a return to France. The former Auxerre player has attracted interest from Boulogne in the past few months (FranceFootball.fr).

Le Progres is reporting that Olympique Lyonnais are leading the race to sign highly-rated Croatian defender Dejan Lovren after attending his latest Europa League match. The defender has also attracted interest from England and Italy and could attract a transfer fee of around €7m.

[Vidic15]

May as well get this kick started again.....

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Olympique de Marseille will not be content to sit on their laurels after the conclusion of this season, which looks liable to bring with it the Ligue 1 title, but instead they have been tipped to chase Toulouse forward Andre-Pierre Gignac, according to a report from RMC.

Gignac was hot property in the transfer market last summer, with several of Europe’s biggest sides linked with a potential move for the burly target man. Olympique Lyonnais were hottest on the France international forward’s case, but their interest seems to have cooled for the time being, with Marseille now one of the primary suitors for the striker.

“Who would not want Gignac?� head coach Didier Deschamps is quoted to have asked the media lately, sparking speculation that OM may launch a bid for the €15 million-rated striker.

After top scoring ahead of the likes of Karim Benzema last term, Gignac has had something of a troubled campaign in the Pink City. Adductor problems have hindered his performances, often forcing him out of games altogether, while he has only managed to score seven Ligue 1 goals – less than a third of his tally last term.

Goal.com

Heard this over the weekend as well - would be a solid signing for OM, especially given the need for a new striker.

Also heard OM maybe keen on Le Tallec - but I'd take Gignac anyday over the former Liverpool player.

[Vidic15]

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According to newspaper Sud Ouest, Olympique Lyon are tracking French international playmaker and Bordeaux player Yoann Gourcuff (23), who is worth around 25 million Euros.

Heard anything about this J?

Not convinced Gourcuff is ready for a big move to the EPL or otherwise yet. OL could well be a perfect destination for him, depending on how the situation coaching wise with Bordeaux ends up.

[House MD]

Personally I think moving to the premier league would be a mistake for Gourcuff..

[J_746]

Vidic15, on 13 May 2010 - 07:25 PM, said:

Heard anything about this J?

Not convinced Gourcuff is ready for a big move to the EPL or otherwise yet. OL could well be a perfect destination for him, depending on how the situation coaching wise with Bordeaux ends up.

Not heard anything about this yet. However, it would all depend on the fee. Lyon have made a bid of upwards of €15m for Porto defender Bruno Alves, so that'll take a chunk out of the transfer budget, assuming this year's budget is not going to be as big as last year's. I think a lot of this would also rest on whether Laurent Blanc stays in club management with Bordeaux or moves to the French national job after the World Cup this summer. Gourcuff gets on well with Blanc, but it remains to be seen who'd step in as manager of Bordeaux if Blanc does move on. It may also depend on outgoing transfers from Lyon's midfield. At the moment, the central midfield players either attack or defend. There isn't really a mix in the two. Most of the midfield players Lyon have at the moment are also versatile, much like Gourcuff.

I can't see Gourcuff in the Premier League at this stage of his career. I think once he has some more experience behind him he'd be a solid acquisition for any Premier League club, but at this stage of his career staying in France would be a solid option for him in my opinion.