[J_746]

Quote

Lille look set to offload Michel Bastos to Ligue 1 rivals Lyon after receiving an 'exceptional offer'. The Brazilian has spent the last three seasons with Lille but could now be heading for Stade Gerland.

The South American burst onto the scene last season as he bagged 14 goals from midfield, helping him to draw admiring glances from afar. Several clubs were believed to be monitoring his availability, but it is Lyon who have made the first move with an approach believed to be around €18million (£14m).

"We're close to an agreement with OL," Lille president Michel Seydoux told L'Equipe TV.

"This will be done in the next few days. I've opened a window for this player because we received an exceptional offer. After three years of good and loyal service, I want to see him continue his progression. But he will be absolutely the only departure."

Source: SkySports.com

This is a huge price for Bastos but it may be the only price at which he'd be allowed to leave. He is a solid player, proven in Ligue 1 with Lille and will be a sound addition to the Lyon side. Bastos had attracted interest from across France and other teams in Europe, and Lille's decision to let him develop domestically in France is a good one for Lyon who will utilise him to the fullest next season.

[J_746]

This is now being reported on Olympique Lyonnais' official website OLweb.fr. According to them, the signing is 'imminent'.

Quote

Olympique Lyonnais and Lille came to an agreement late last night over the future of Michel Bastos, who is set to complete an €18 million move to the Stade Gerland – a prospect that has thrilled the blossoming attacking midfielder.

A pivotal cog in the Lille side who finished high enough last season to qualify for the inaugural Europa League, Bastos is expected to pen a four-year deal with the Stade Gerland outfit in the coming days. "This is what I always wanted," he proclaimed to L'Equipe. "I've always stayed positive."

The news that Bastos will depart means that Adil Rami is likely to have his move to Olympique de Marseille blocked as les Dogues president Michel Seydoux has previously intimated that he will only allow one of his top players to leave this summer, a decision that has saddened the Brazilian on behalf of his team-mate.

"I am sad for Adil," he lamented. "He does not like the way the club have handled this situation either."

Looking forward, the 25-year-old Brazilian is excited that he will soon be snapped up by a Champions League outfit of great repute. "In my country, when it comes to the L1, we speak first of Lyon," he said. "Joining a club that was seven times champion of France, it is enormous. It is a dream come true."

Bastos has dismissed claims that Lyon are a potentially diminishing force, having lost Karim Benzema, who was signed by Real Madrid earlier this summer.

"It's normal," he shrugged. "We have seen this summer that many clubs have been struggling to retain their best people. For me, Lyon are still strong."

The former Figueirense man has yet to complete his move to Lyon, but it is now considered close to a formality that he will sign for the Claude Puel-managed club.

Source: Goal.com




The following pictures of Michel Bastos at Lyon Saint-Éxupery airport were posted on OLweb.fr this morning:
http://s.olweb.fr/ol/image/article/une/g/37/7201.jpg
http://s.olweb.fr/ol/image/article/une/g/37/7203.jpg

Looks like they're very close to the signing. Judging by the amount of baggage he has, he's ready to move down straight away :lol: .

[J_746]

Signed, sealed, delivered. Michel Bastos has signed for Lyon in an €18m deal! A staggering amount but a gifted player with experience in France nonetheless.

http://s.olweb.fr/ol/image/article/une/g/37/7204.jpg

Picture Source: OLweb.fr

[Newt Call]

that is a huge amount !!!... HUGE considering Diego left Werder Bremen for €24m.

[J_746]

John Connor, on 16 July 2009 - 09:38 PM, said:

that is a huge amount !!!... HUGE considering Diego left Werder Bremen for €24m.

...and Lyon signed Lisandro Lopez for €24m too. So far, Lyon have spent €39m on two players. I feel both of them will be hugely important in this coming season. Bastos has proven he has what it takes to be playing at a club higher than Lille, Lyon are a club higher than Lille and also in the Champions League (provided they progress past the qualifying stage). Lopez was a necessary striker given the recent departure of Benzema.

There must be more to come for Lyon though as they desperately need some more quality in their ranks. They were unable to do so last season and they ended up losing the title. €39m on two players is a lot of money, but there'll be plenty more to come that's for sure.

[Great Gooner]

Shocking, if Lyon can spend this much and Arsenal struggles to cough out £20m a season. In fairness, Lyon are a solid french side no doubt, and have had/have some solid players, possibly another one they'll sell for £40m in 2-4 years.

[J_746]

Great Gooner, on 16 July 2009 - 10:04 PM, said:

Shocking, if Lyon can spend this much and Arsenal struggles to cough out £20m a season. In fairness, Lyon are a solid french side no doubt, and have had/have some solid players, possibly another one they'll sell for £40m in 2-4 years.

I'm quite shocked myself. I knew spending was needed, last season they spent a lot of money on some distinctly average players. The quality seems to have improved this time around, but I didn't think the spending would enter this amount on two players!

[Bosko]

This is quite a significant gamble, not only with regard to what Michel Bastos could contribute, but also financially. Should he flop, then his sell-on price will be nowhere near the €18 million Olympique Lyonnais have paid for him. He has been with Lille three seasons, with only the most recent been eye-catching. It is yet to been seen whether it was simply a good spell of form, or whether he is the complete package. Certainly, last season his performances were outstanding and he netted an impressive amount of goals (14). He should fit nicely in on the left, perhaps even with a lack of competition, following Kader Keita's departure (to Galatasaray) and the demise of Sidney Govou. Arguably, Olympique Lyonnais still require at least one more wide player, as well as a replacement for Juninho Pernambucano, a possible alternative to Fabio Grosso (who is still been courted by Juventus) and a central defender. It seems inevitable that their will be more spending at the club before the season opens.