Moussa Mazzou nearing a switch to Bordeaux; Atheltic Bilbao to keep hold of their star players

Bordeaux looking for reinforcements

Bordeaux are set to earn around 22 million euros from the transfer of Yoann Gourcuff to Lyon and les Girodnins are ready to invest a portion of it in new players.

CSKA forward, Moussa Maazou, who enjoyed a loan spell at Monaco last term, is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 side, while another midfielder could also follow.

The Nigerian forward was seen in Bordeaux yesterday, after les Girondins agreed to match the release clause in his contract that stood at 4.5 million euros, and he is expected to sign a contract today.

Maazou, who turns 22 today, should help the side compensate for the departure of Marouane Chamakh, although the poor start of the league campaign have shown Bordeaux should have clinched this signing a long time ago.

The departure of playmaker Gourcuff will leave a big gap in the creative department and no wonder Jean Tigana is eager to sign a replacement. Yohan Cabaye and Julien Feret are being mentioned as possible replacements, but les Girondins are also interested in Lorient’s Morgan Amalfitano.

The club officials will have to act quickly as the transfer window closes in six days’ time.

[Source: L’Equipe]

Athletic Bilbao to keep hold of their star players

Atheltic Bilbao officials have rejected Rubin Kazan’s offer for Fernando Amorebieta thought to be worth around 10 million euros.

The player’s agent, Gines Carvajal confirmed the contact with Russia Premier League champions.

“Rubin Kazan were contacted last week to make a formal offer for Fernando. What we did next was to notify Atheltic but they were not even willing to negotiate.”

The club president Fernando Garcia Macua is adamant the player will not be leaving Bilbao.

“Amorebieta is under valid contract and we will not sell.”

The young defender is not the only Athletic player courted by big clubs, as there is a lot of interest for Spain World Cup stars Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente, but the club will do everything they can to keep hold of their key players and they are already preparing new contracts for the trio.

[Source: El Mundo Deportivo]

Chievo sign Andreoli and Thereau

Chievo Verona have announced the signing of defender Marco Andreolli and striker Cyril Thereau.

In a bid to reinforce the squad before the start of new Serie A campaign, the Flying Donkeys have signed two unproven players.

“Two new arrivals for the Gialloblu,” announced a statement on the club website.

“AC Chievo Verona announce the permanent transfer from Roma of defender Marco Andreolli and with the same system the French forward Cyril Thereau.”

Marco Andreolli came through the youth ranks at Inter, but managed to play just 8 games for the senior side before moving to Roma. He saw his playing time very limited at Olimpico as well, and the move to Chievo is seen as the chance to kick-start his career.

Cyril Thereau played for French sides Orleans and Angers before moving to Belgium, where he had spells with Charleroi and Anderlecht. His scoring record so far has been far from impressive, so we cannot see him becoming more than a squad player at Chievo.

[Source: Chievo]