Milan fan
01-05-2002, 10:58 PM
02 January 2002 -- Lyon are confident a deal can be completed for Real Madrid striker Savio before the French transfer window closes at the end of January.
High-flying Lyon are desperate to secure the services of the Brazilian striker after being rebuffed with an earlier bid last year, it was reported on Wednesday.
Lyon, who already have a quartet of Brazilians in Sonny Anderson, Juninho Pernambucano, Edmilson and Cacapa on their books, had also been interested in AC Milan's Serginho but were told in no uncertain terms that he was not for sale.
Consequently Lyon, who are second in the French championship, have revealed that they have switched their attentions to Savio, who has been a fringe squad player at the Bernabeu with the strikeforce of Fernando Morientes and Raul back to full fitness and form.
They are keen to get the deal, which is believed to be worth £12million, done by the time the winter transfer window ends on January 31.
"We are in discussions with Madrid over Savio and we are hopeful that this time it will come off without a hitch," said a Lyon spokesperson.
Savio, who will turn 26 on January 9, has been the subject of transfer speculation for a while but saw a proposed £10million move to English Premiership Chelsea fall at the last hurdle in 2000 as Real held out for £12million.
Real coach Vicente del Bosque has always said he would never sell Savio but the fee offered by Lyon may prove to be too good to refuse.
High-flying Lyon are desperate to secure the services of the Brazilian striker after being rebuffed with an earlier bid last year, it was reported on Wednesday.
Lyon, who already have a quartet of Brazilians in Sonny Anderson, Juninho Pernambucano, Edmilson and Cacapa on their books, had also been interested in AC Milan's Serginho but were told in no uncertain terms that he was not for sale.
Consequently Lyon, who are second in the French championship, have revealed that they have switched their attentions to Savio, who has been a fringe squad player at the Bernabeu with the strikeforce of Fernando Morientes and Raul back to full fitness and form.
They are keen to get the deal, which is believed to be worth £12million, done by the time the winter transfer window ends on January 31.
"We are in discussions with Madrid over Savio and we are hopeful that this time it will come off without a hitch," said a Lyon spokesperson.
Savio, who will turn 26 on January 9, has been the subject of transfer speculation for a while but saw a proposed £10million move to English Premiership Chelsea fall at the last hurdle in 2000 as Real held out for £12million.
Real coach Vicente del Bosque has always said he would never sell Savio but the fee offered by Lyon may prove to be too good to refuse.