HAVING stated that Mickael Essien was '95 percent' certain to join Paris Saint Germain, Bastia chairman Francois Nicolai has now revealed that Lyon are set to win the race for the midfield star.
Nicolai said on Monday that PSG were winning the race for Essien, but now French champions Lyon look set to land the Everton and Liverpool target.
"I wanted to tell you now that Mickael Essien is much closer to Lyon than Paris," admitted Nicolai.
"The player is 80 percent at Lyon.
"In the transfer business, nothing is certain while nothing is signed.
"Frankly, the deal should be settled now with Lyon. There should be no more surprises."
Lyon seemed to have trumped PSG, due to the fact that they have included striker Frederic Nee in the deal and the former Bastia man looks set to seal a move back to his former club after accepting to take a drop in salary.
"Frederic, who is playing at Lyon, absolutely wants to come back to Bastia.
"He spent many beautiful years here recently.
"He is ready to make big efforts on his wage level, so he will probably rejoin us - he will be delighted.
"Moreover, Mickael Essien wants to join Lyon, it is his favourite destination. So everyone is happy - Nee, Essien, Lyon and us.
"Also, Lyon made an offer slightly superior to Paris for Michael."
HAVING stated that Mickael Essien was '95 percent' certain to join Paris Saint Germain, Bastia chairman Francois Nicolai has now revealed that Lyon are set to win the race for the midfield star.
Nicolai said on Monday that PSG were winning the race for Essien, but now French champions Lyon look set to land the Everton and Liverpool target.
"I wanted to tell you now that Mickael Essien is much closer to Lyon than Paris," admitted Nicolai.
"The player is 80 percent at Lyon.
"In the transfer business, nothing is certain while nothing is signed.
"Frankly, the deal should be settled now with Lyon. There should be no more surprises."
Lyon seemed to have trumped PSG, due to the fact that they have included striker Frederic Nee in the deal and the former Bastia man looks set to seal a move back to his former club after accepting to take a drop in salary.
"Frederic, who is playing at Lyon, absolutely wants to come back to Bastia.
"He spent many beautiful years here recently.
"He is ready to make big efforts on his wage level, so he will probably rejoin us - he will be delighted.
"Moreover, Mickael Essien wants to join Lyon, it is his favourite destination. So everyone is happy - Nee, Essien, Lyon and us.
"Also, Lyon made an offer slightly superior to Paris for Michael."
Copyright © 1994 - 2024 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
