Eric Abidal is ready to snub Lyon's preseason training
because he wants to leave the six-time defending French champion
and join Barcelona.
Lyon has turned down an initial offer of $17.5 million from the
Spanish club for the France defender, and Abidal's adviser said the
player is ready to defy the club.
"I don't think Eric will be present for the resumption of training
on Monday," David Venditelli told The Associated Press on
Wednesday. "He's annoyed at the way things have turned out."
Although Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said Abidal can
leave, he wants closer to $26.9 million for Abidal, who has made 24
appearances for France and played in last year's World Cup final
loss to Italy.
Lyon signed the 26-year-old Abidal from Lille for $ 13.4 million in
2004. Part of that deal included giving Lille 50 percent of any
profits made if Lyon then sold Abidal on for more than they bought
him.
Aulas has twice been at loggerheads with key players seeking a
summer transfer.
In 2005, Michael Essien skipped training and eventually got his
move to English Premier League team Chelsea, and last year
Mahamadou Diarra stood his ground and joined Real Madrid. Aulas
initially blocked both moves.
Aulas could also sell winger Florent Malouda to Chelsea. He has
agreed to Malouda's transfer request, providing it's completed by
Saturday.
According to Wednesday's edition of sports daily L'Equipe, Aulas
has turned down Chelsea's offer of $22.9 million for the France
winger, but the newspaper said Aulas would sell for $29.6
million.
Lyon has already sold midfielder Tiago to Juventus, and replaced
him with Mathieu Bodmer of Lille. Ivory Coast winger Abdulkader
Keita has also joined Lyon from Lille.
