Lyon have moved to reject suggestions of a deal with Chelsea
that will see Florent Malouda head to Stamford Bridge this
summer.
Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the France international winger,
while fellow Premier League club Liverpool are also understood to
be keen.
Malouda has stated his desire to leave Stade Gerland in the summer
in search of a new challenge abroad and The Blues were reportedly
close to striking a deal.
However, that is not the case, according to Lyon head of
communications Olivier Blanc, who also laughed off talk of a swap
involving Lassana Diarra.
Blanc insists any agreement is still some way off and that the
French champions have no interest in the swap deal offered by
Chelsea.
"Contrary to what I've heard, there is no agreement with Chelsea
about Malouda, and absolutely nothing about a swap deal with
Lassana Diarra we turned down a fortnight ago," he told French
press.
Meanwhile, Blanc has revealed midfielder Tiago is set to depart
Lyon, with Juventus his likely destination.
The Portuguese ace has been tracked by both Juve and Sampdoria but
is expected to join the former for a fee in the region of
15million (£10million).
Blanc added: "Tiago could be the first of our players to leave this
summer."
HENG AR
