SOCCER/Transfer news: Lyon's chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas, yesterday called on Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to formalise their interest in Florent Malouda. "I'm waiting on a call from an English club so we can sort out a meeting," Aulas said.
"The transfer could move forward if there is an offer that comes close to the price I've fixed. On players' values, I seldom get it wrong: today Malouda is worth £17 million."
Of the English clubs monitoring the France winger, Chelsea are the least likely to bid.
They would seriously pursue Malouda, the former Guingamp team-mate of Didier Drogba, only if Arjen Robben were to leave; that seems improbable since a five-year contract is currently on the table for the Dutch forward.
Liverpool would consider £17 million a steep price and might prefer Benfica's Simao Sabrosa, who is available for £12 million.
Arsenal would be more tempted to make a move for the 27-year-old.
Malouda would constitute one of the players who would satisfy the ambitions of Thierry Henry and the Arsenal captain has refused to commit his future to the Emirates Stadium until he has assessed any new signings.
Henry has expressed doubts about the club's transfer-market clout in the absence of their departed former chief negotiator, David Dein.
Those doubts were exacerbated by his international team-mate Franck Ribery's £17 million move from Marseille to Bayern Munich last week.
In any event, Arsenal must begin to prepare their contingencies for life after Henry.
Barcelona and Milan have made their interest in the striker known but no offer has been forthcoming from either club, both of whom are waiting for the end of the Spanish league season.
Arsenal might be tempted to discuss selling Henry to Barcelona if Samuel Eto'o were offered in part-exchange, though the Cameroon striker stated yesterday he intends to remain at the Camp Nou.
"I am tired of saying it," he said. "The club can't get rid of me because of my contract and as we both want to continue anyway, there is nothing more to talk about. I am staying at Barcelona and I don't know where these stories saying I'm going come from."
Despite Eto'o's clarity his agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, said "on his future, everything is open," while reiterating his priority is to remain in Catalonia. If he does, Eto'o wants Henry to join".
"We will form a great attack. He is one of the best players in the world, and I always want the best players by my side", the Cameroonian said.
Another who has generated transfer interest this summer is Drogba, whose statement in an interview this week that he would like one day to play in Italy or Spain has alerted Milan.
The European champions are seeking a top-class replacement for Alberto Gilardino, who is seeking a move away from San Siro.
However, Drogba has told friends he would turn down all offers to leave Chelsea this summer.
Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce, with a new defence to construct at Newcastle United, has made a £2 million offer to Paris St-Germain for their Czech international centre-half David Rozehnal. Rozehnal, 27 next month, is believed to be willing to move to Tyneside but Newcastle are awaiting a response from from the French club.
Allardyce was at the Millennium Stadium 11 days ago to see Rozehnal play for the Czech Republic against Wales in a Euro 2008 qualifier after which the player's representative said:
"David would love to play for Newcastle. He knows the manager Sam Allardyce was also a centre-back and believes he can learn from him.
"Allardyce was keen to sign David back in January for Bolton and I know he came to watch him play against Wales.
"David has played for one great club, PSG, but would love to come to the Premiership and play for another. PSG are holding out for the right offer for their player."
Allardyce's interest in Tal Ben Haim, a centre-half who played for him at Bolton, is already known and with Newcastle no longer having Titus Bramble and Craig Moore at least one new central defender has to arrive.
Guardian Service
