Transfer News, Gignac, Coupe de la Ligue,And More

By: Julien | June 29th, 2007

Lille’s hunt for Nicolae Dică is over. Supposely, he is about to join the club’s rival, RC Lens, for 7 million euros. So there you have it. LOSC missed out yet again. According to the allezlesdogues fansite, Lille is tracking two players: Klemen Lavric, Éric Djemba-Djemba. Lavric is a Slovenian striker that currently plays in the Germand 2nd division for MSV Duisbourg. In 29 matches last season, he scored 12 goals. The Cameroon midfielder, Éric Djemba-Djemba, could end up in Lille after being transferred to Burnley from Aston Villa. Both players are 26 years old. I don’t really know much information about both of these players. From the little information I have read regarding the two players, Lavric seems to have more potential.

The Gignac transfer to Toulouse from Lorient will be investigated by The Legal Affairs Committee of the LFP on July 10, 2007. Toulouse claimed recently that they have signed André-Pierre Gignac. The transfer was disputed by LOSC. The Nord club said they already had a deal with Gignac prior to Toulouse’s announcement. “I am sure of one thing, we had an agreement both with the player and FC Lorient” (Michel Seydoux, LOSC chairman).

The calendar for the 2007/2008 Coupe de la Ligue has been released:
First round: Saturdy, August 14
2nd round : Saturday August, 28
Final 16 : September 25 and 26 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Final 8: October 30 and 31 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Quarter finals : January 15 and 16 (Tuesady and Wednesday)
Semi-finals : February 25 and 26 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Final : Saturday March 29 (Stade de France)

In the last issue of UEFA direct, the organization revealed the revenue from the European cups (UEFA Cup, Champions League) for several clubs. Lille gained 18.045 million euros, Bordeaux earned a little more than 16 million euros, and Lyon accrued 22 million euros. Also Lens acquired 370,000 euros from the UEFA Cup. Was the Champions League worth it for Lille? Some fans would argue otherwise, because of the club’s poor form after the elimination. I don’t think its fair to use the Champions League as the club’s scapegoat. It may have added to the club’s difficulties, but it surely was not the sole reason.