Lyon eye Heinze swoop

August 14, 2007

Gabriel Heinze

LYON may join Liverpool in the race to sign United defender Gabriel Heinze.

Heinze is currently involved in a dispute with the Reds, who are refusing to allow the player to move to fellow north-west club Liverpool.

The 29-year-old claims he has a letter from United allowing him to leave Old Trafford for a fee the Merseysiders claim to have met, but the club insist he will not be sold to a close rival.

Heinze is taking the issue to a Premier League arbitration panel on August 20.

The Ligue 1 champions are without captain Cris for six months after he was carried off during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Toulouse after a clash with Les Violets striker Johan Elmander.

The likes of Paris St Germain's Mario Yepes and Jean-Alain Boumsong, of Juventus, have been linked with the French champions as a replacement for Cris.

But Reds defender Heinze looks to be Lyon coach Alain Perrin's ideal choice.

"He has the profile," the former Sochaux boss said of the Argentina international, who can play at left-back or centre-half.

"It is necessary to know if the player, who has spent a large part of his career at left-back, really wants to play regularly at centre-back."

Heinze has played in Ligue 1 before, with Paris St Germain, prior to his departure to Old Trafford in 2004.

Do you think Heinze must now leave United? Have your say.

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Steve, Glossop (14/08/2007 at 10:27)

I presume he's blowing a kiss in that snap. Well the Scousers can kiss our butts. Unbelievable betrayal to everyone who treated him so well. Looks like a team like Lyon are his best option Real Madrid dont make me laugh.

bremen red (14/08/2007 at 10:27)

There`s no way back into the United team for Gabby, unless he claims being kidnapped n brainwashed. Sad it has/had to end this way.

Hope Lyon get him for anything around 6 million, I`d even settle for 4annahalf million if this Liverpool rubbish is brought to an end.

Just thought, this rubbish with the dippers might just be a way of getting the price-tag down....

Michio, County Louth (14/08/2007 at 10:30)

Of course he should be allowed to leave. Apparently the club agreed to sell him this summer, the only issue is whether he would be allowed to leave for a direct competitor - or Liverpool ;)

If Lyon want him, and he doesn't mind going back to France, then it sounds like a good deal all round - providing the price is right.

Michio, County Louth (14/08/2007 at 10:39)

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Perrin and Fergie are pals. Isn't Perrin the guy who had an unsuccessful time at Rangers last year and took a couple of Utd youngsters on loan? I wouldn't be surprised if he got a call from Fergie calling in a favour.

Mark, South Manchester (14/08/2007 at 10:50)

As much as I hate Liverpool - what if they are offering Heinze double the money, than any other club in Europe are able to offer him? This is probably Gabriel's last chance of a big final career deal, that will set him and his family up for life. (Remember Premiership clubs pay the biggest wages in Europe at the moment!)

Surely it would be immoral for Fergie to deny him that chance??
How would SAF react if his chance of a pay increase were scuppered?

Demo, Glossop (14/08/2007 at 10:53)

gabby wants out, lyon want gabby, the answer lets pack his bags and send him there! much prefer him to go back to france than play in giro nation!

RDK (Red Devils fr Kuala Lumpur), Kuala Lumpur (14/08/2007 at 10:59)

I am not in favour of Heinze leaving as he is a solid defender that can play either Left Back or Centre Back. He's a good asset for Man Utd. Off course, if only he stay loyal to Man Utd and fight for his place with Evra. Silvestre doesn't look convincing to fill the gap!

Drew Skaners, Macc (14/08/2007 at 11:11)

He should be allowed to play where he wants.

If he goes to scallypool or Lyon, he will still be the same rubbish player he always was.

He certainly had a interesting foul and yellow card ratio.

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (14/08/2007 at 11:25)

Michio, i think Perrin had a spell at Portsmouth, not Rangers ( that was Le Guen ) This would be a great move though for both Heinze & United. He gets CL football & we get 6-7 mill & laugh at the scousers into the bargain. A win-win situation all round i think. People are quick to criticise Gabbys behaviour at the moment but, don't forget when he was linked with us the same noises being made now came from his camp then. I say let the guy go with a thank you very much & good luck.

GEORGE LYONS (14/08/2007 at 11:26)

Mr Shinpad has today had an arrest warrant served by the Thai Government. Wazza may be out for 2 months but Mr Shinpad may be out for two years. Maybe he can do a Tony Soprano and run his business from the can.
See you in two months Wayne, as a fit and proper person.

GORB, MANCHESTER (14/08/2007 at 11:32)

SELL HIM TO LIVERPOOL THEN YOU WILL END UP BEHIND THEM IN THE LEAGUE AS WELL AS CHELSEA,ARSENAL AND A FEW OTHERS.

CHRIS WHITTAKER (14/08/2007 at 11:40)

Lyons - How can you describe a scouser a fit and proper person?

RDK (Red Devils fr Kuala Lumpur), Kuala Lumpur (14/08/2007 at 11:41)

Whatever it is, I hope SAF would stand by his decision and not let Gabby join Liverpool! Man Utd need to focus on the scoring department as of now!

CHRIS WHITTAKER (14/08/2007 at 11:45)

Argentina,Argentina,Argentina
Do all you muppets chanting for a country we were at war with now feel rather silly?

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (14/08/2007 at 12:07)

Chris, even a bitter like you must realise that England has been at war with just about every country in the world at one time or another. Are we not allowed cheer for anyone else? Forgive & forget muppet!

Mick, Dublin (14/08/2007 at 12:12)

Argentina! Argentina! Argentina!

Expect more of the same, next season, whatever happens.

In case you've been living under a rock, we've actually got TWO Argentinians in our squad right now.

Gawd only knows what country you bitters will be chanting for. I'm guessing 'Ingerland' won't feature too highly. How many English players started your last game?

CBU (14/08/2007 at 12:29)

I'm not one to complain, but I think SAF has lost the plot. I can't see the problem selling Gabby to the scousers. He was rubbish for us, so he will be rubbish for them. Easy pickings down the left. Also playing a defender as a striker - wow! The guy should be given his P45 now. Especially as the Bitters have got one of the best managers in world football and their recent buys have cost less than ours and they played better at the weekend.

UP the reds.

CHRIS WHITTAKER (14/08/2007 at 12:32)

Mick - have you ever considered supporting one of your own countries teams?

TMUF, Manchester (14/08/2007 at 12:59)

Kevin how can you possibly compare a player wanting to move from PSG to United and a player moving from United to Liverpool. A totally completely diffent scenario.

Mark, South Manchester your'e having a laugh right. How long has he been with us and you think he may not already been financially set-up for life.In fact if Walsall signed him and gave him 5grand a week I'm sure he would still be finacially blessed so his finacial status shouldnt come into SAF or our minds. The fact is he has been allowed to move to any team in the world except 3 clubs. There is absolutely nothing un-ethical about that considering the amount of clubs could sign him.

To be honest tho, I would rather he play for Liverpool then having him stay with us!

Paulie (14/08/2007 at 13:03)

chris, whittaker, have you ever considered minding your own business and staying off our message boards?

manc abroad, OT (14/08/2007 at 13:18)

Liverpool are reported to have offered 70k per week. No French club will be able to match that offer.

This looks a little like our friend Kanchelskis' move to Everton, only motivated by money and greed.

What price loyalty ?

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (14/08/2007 at 13:54)

TMUF, i'm not going to get involved in the jingoistic side of the arguement. The reality of the situation is that i would like Heinze to move to Lyon, it solves all problems imo. I was not comparing moves between Paris/United * United/Liverpool, i was comparing the attitudes & statements released by Heinze & his agents on both occasions. They are almost the same. We cannot be two-faced & say that he did the right thing 3 seasons ago & now say he's a disgraceful turncoat.

Duncan, London (14/08/2007 at 13:59)

Mark, South Manchester - don't me laugh mate every premiership footballer is set up for life and Heinze could retire now on his current contract. The only thing that is immoral is the amount they earn now. Sell him to Lyon if the terms aren't good enough he won't go. He has two years left on his lucrative contract with us - he's hardly going to be destiture is he now?

JonyB-), North Staffs (14/08/2007 at 14:10)

Would like to see it happen - but Lyon very shrewd so unlikely to offer anywhere near money dippers offered and can they afford to match the dippers lucrative terms - doubtful i think with the money in french footie. Also will Heinze want to go back to french football after PSG?? Would see Seria A or La Liga as greater options - but so far no bites at the bait!! Anything to stop the sanctimonious dippers from crying foul when we all know their actions would be no less furious!!

Patrick McLOUGHLIN, North Carolina, USA (14/08/2007 at 14:17)

must be one of (few) fans wanting gabriel heinze to stay with manchester united..damm..so easy for (posters) like cbu (and)tmuf(and many others on this website) calling heinze names..lighten up..gabriel heinze (is)still one of our better defenders and how can you show anger at him not knowing the full story of his wanting to move away..(Sir.Alex) just try one more time to convince heinze to stay with united and fight for his place on the team..too good a world class player to sell for six million..and it will surely be to united`s gain..(also)all this chaos with heinze cannot but unsettle his fellow countryman (tevez) even before he starts one game for united..so (come on sir.alex) convince heinze to stay with united we truly need him for the tough nine months schedule ahead..and(finally) those name callers of heinze have (small) (short) memories..perhaps same bunch that would want ferguson out after a few defeats..so easy to critisize..so easy to forget..enough said

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