Lyon sign Cissokho replacement; Zeman claims Stekelenburg not for sale

Lyon sign Cissokho replacement

Lyon have completed the signing of defender Luciano Fabian Monzon from Nice, the French club have revealed on their official website.

The 25-year-old was signed in a swap deal with Nice that has seen Lyon winger Jeremy Pied move in the other direction.

The Argentine defender has put a pen to paper on a four-year contract and he arrives to the club as a replacement for Aly Cissokho, who earlier completed his move to Valencia.

“I thank Nice’s fans for their support. They always had a nice word for me. I will not forget them,” Monzon said on Nice’s official website.

The highly rated full-back joined les Aiglons last summer from Boca Juniors, and immediately established himself as an important member of the squad.

While showing impressive defensive qualities, Monzon surprisingly became team’s top scorer last season together with Anthony Mounier, having netted 8 times in 34 appearances.

Even if he scored most of his goals from the penalty spot, the player’s attacking qualities are likely to prove a big asset for his new club.

Zeman claims Stekelenburg not for sale

Roma boss Zdenek Zeman has poured cold water on speculation linking keeper Maarten Stekelenburg with a summer exit from Olimpico.

The Dutch international only joined the Giallorossi last summer, but he was heavily linked with a summer move away from the club.

Tottenham and Fulham have been showing interest in the 29-year-old, but Roma coach Zdenek Zeman is adamant the keeper will not be leaving the club this summer.

“I have never said that Stekelenburg is available on the market,” Zeman told reporters following the 2-2 draw with Catania.

“I have always reiterated that I believe he is an excellent goalkeeper.”

Despite heavily reinforcing the squad this summer, Roma had a poor start to the season as they twice came from behind to earn one point at home to Catania.

Maarten Stekelenburg enjoyed a good game and he was not to blame for either of the two goals.

Bayer Leverkusen admit interest in Rensing

Bayer Leverkusen are closing in on Koln goalkeeper Michael Rensing, according to sporting director Rudi Voller.

Die Werkself have long been on the lookout for a quality replacement for starting keeper Bernd Leno but they decided to step up their efforts after Leno was lucky not to be sent off in weekend’s defeat to Eintracht.

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has now moved to confirm reports linking the club with a move for former Bayern Munich keeper Michael Rensing.

“We are considering (our targets). And Rensing is one of them,” Voller explaned to Bild http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/fc-koeln/voeller-bestaetigt-leverkusen-will-rensing-25876320.bild.html.

The 28-year-old is no longer part of the FC Koln squad, even if he is still on club’s payroll.

Rensing has one year left on his €80,000 per month deal and his current club would jump at the opportunity to sell him this summer.

Bild seem to believe that the recently relegated side would settle for a fee of around €300,000, which suggests that the agreement is on the horizon.

The experienced keeper has really kick-start his career at Koln, producing some stunning saves last season, and he appears to have enough quality to challenge Leno for a starting berth at Bay Arena.

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