Kevin Mirallas’ Future With Lille Still Uncertain

By: Julien | July 8th, 2008

Risky business for Lille right now. Kevin Mirallas’ future with LOSC is still up in the air. Spain? England? Netherlands? Germany? France? Where will the Belgian play next season? His thoughts:
“LOSC asked me to extend my contract for three years. We are in the process of negotiating. We will see what happens. I have not made a decision. My agent told me that numerous clubs are interested in me. If I don’t reach an agreement with Lille, it is possible that I will leave.”
One of Lille’s options to replace Mirallas is Sébastien Grax. How is that honestly an option right now? He just signed a three year contract with Sochaux a week ago. Do the LOSC recruiters really think that he will move again so soon?

Le Progrès reports that AS Nancy valued Puygrenier so high (5 to 6 million euros) to keep him out of France. Supposedly, Nancy does not want to hand him over to one of their Ligue 1 competitors. This is a move that I wish Lille did in the past. Instead of letting players go to Olympique Lyonnais and reinforcing their unstoppable side, I think Makoun should have been transferred outside of Europe. OM blog writer Magnusson reminded me awhile ago that one of Lyon’s investors is Michel Seydoux’s brother, Jérôme Seydoux. Obviously, that has some pull in the close transfer relationship that the two clubs have (Olympique Lillois returns?).

Footlille reports that no discussions have been made between Lille and Saint-Étienne for Geoffrey Dernis. Benfica and Espanyol are more interested in the midfielder than LOSC and AS Nancy.

The LFP has released Lille’s television schedule. It is actually a great reminder that the next season is starting pretty soon. July is already moving fast it seems. Well at least for me it is.
Reminder all times are based on the French time zone!
August 9 (21h00): Nancy-Lille (via the multiplex) on Canal+
August 16 (19h00): Lille-Le Mans on Foot+
August 24 (16h00): Rennes-Lille on Foot+
August 31 (17h00): Lille-Bordeaux on Foot+

The Lille/Reims friendly will be played Friday evening (18 H French time) at Luchin. Surprisingly, it will be a closed match. Meaning no one can spectate this match. Hmm…. Why closed you’re probably asking. I am as confused as you are. On a similar note, Lille’s first open practice is tomorrow at the same location (9:30 French time). I will try to ask one of my cousins to check out the match. Half of my family still lives in France, by the way (just incase you thought I was flying all the way to France for a friendly and with the weak dollar).