Paris-based journalist Jonathan Johnson delivers his verdict on who is heading where in Ligue 1.
After what had been a slow start to the January transfer window dealings between England and France, last week saw the market ignite. A number of agreements were struck, while an explosion of big-name transfer rumours circulated the back pages. With just over a week of the window remaining, there could be a number of players Channel hopping in both directions in the next eight days.
Transfer gossip
Once again Paris Saint-Germain dominated the headlines here in France during a busy week as they sought to flex their financial muscle and were linked with bids for a handful of top stars from around Europe and in particular the English Premier League.
In an interview early last week, newly-appointed manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed to
Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy that since the opening of the transfer window, he has received numerous offers of strikers from hungry agents eager to involve their clients in the revolution at the Parc des Princes. Names such as Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov and Roman Pavlyuchenko have all been proffered in the Italian's direction but the former Chelsea man has refused to dive in and would prefer to bide his time to find the right man to bolster his attack.
He said: "Since I signed for PSG I have received hundreds of calls from agents proposing their clients: Falcao, Tevez, Torres, Berbatov, Pavlyuchenko, Cavani, Llorente.
"All want to come here: there is money, it is Paris and there is a good coach."
It appears that despite these offers PSG's main transfer target is Manchester City's want-away striker Carlos Tevez and last week it emerged that the Argentine's agent Kia Joorabchian was in Paris to speak to sporting director Leonardo after the French giants lodged a bid for the striker. The talks were then believed to have broken down over Tevez's personal demands and questions over the club's short-term plans to bring in quality players but Leonardo has since spoken out about the Tevez deal - suggesting it is far from dead.
Speaking to
Le Parisien the Brazilian claimed: "Tevez has a great contract with Manchester City and it's a difficult situation to deal with.
"If we have an opportunity, we will do a deal if it's good for everyone. He has a good relationship with Ancelotti and really believes that here, we can do things. But after, there are contractual issues."
The Argentine international has also been attracting interest from Italian giants Inter and AC Milan and the former are trying to keep one of their prized assets out of the clutches of PSG's new money. Naturalised Brazilian Motta who represents Italy at international level has seen his name linked to the big-spending outfit in recent weeks but his employers insist he is not going anywhere.
Speaking in Italy, Inter chairman Massimo Moratti said: "Thiago Motta? He's one of our most important players.
"This makes him non-transferable. We hope he won't leave."
Rumours have suggested that should Motta depart Giuseppe Meazza anytime soon, the club's hierarchy have lined up Rennes' Yann M'Vila as his replacement. An arguably better player than Motta, albeit with less experience, the France international would surely represent better business for PSG given his age and potential future ability.
Perched next to the exit door at the Parc des Princes is Turkish striker Mevlut Erding. Since the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments the striker's future has been shrouded in doubt and last week Rennes manager Frederic Antonetti, a known admirer, admitted that the club had lodged an enquiry for his services. Everton have also been linked with an interest in his signature and will have to move fast if they want to secure a loan deal before the window closes.
St James' Park has become a home away from home for French players in recent months and Alan Pardew seems set to add to his expanding French contingent later this week as the club are approaching a deal with Lyon for full-back Aly Cissokho. Whilst the two clubs try to thrash out a deal, the player is patiently waiting to begin talks with his potential suitors but he insists the move could still be hijacked.
He said: "I am waiting for the green light from Lyon."
"I am a Lyon player and if they agree a fee with a club, I will then talk to that club. Newcastle and Lyon are talking about me, but there are other teams interested as well."
Chelsea are now looking to follow Newcastle's lead in sourcing some of their major talent from Ligue 1 and have been linked with a double swoop on France this month. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has reportedly been keeping tabs on Lille's sensational Belgian schemer Eden Hazard as well as Marseille's classy Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta. Whilst Lille and Hazard are insistent that the flying winger is going nowhere until the summer, Azpilicueta was less assured in his cryptic response to questions regarding his future.
Speaking to
L'Equipe recently he said: "For me, these are just rumours and I am bound to OM until 2014.
"If the leaders of Chelsea want me, they should first discuss that with OM. It is more difficult to start in the national team when you do not play at a great club. You have to be at Real or Barcelona."
Finally, just across London, one player could be exiting the EPL for a possible move back to France. Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong could be set to leave White Hart Lane due to his frustration at being unable to break into Harry Redknapp's first team plans. A move to PSG has been touted but given the capital club's strength in that position it seems unlikely that anything will come of these rumours. Instead a switch to Marseille or Lyon could be more likely.
