Print and go back ESPNsoccernet: Europe Soccernet Print

Thursday, July 3, 2008
 Lyon: No Real Madrid bid for Ben Arfa

French champions Lyon have denied they ever received a bid from Real Madrid for Hatem Ben Arfa.

The 21-year-old winger joined Marseille this week for an undisclosed fee after a week of wranglings between the two Ligue 1 sides.

Ben Arfa insisted on Wednesday Real Madrid had tried to sign him, and that Lyon had encouraged him to join the Spanish champions for financial reasons.

Lyon though have disputed their former player's claims.

A statement on the club's official website stated: 'Olympique Lyonnais are keen to confirm that we have never had the slightest contact with Real Madrid concerning the transfer of Hatem Ben Arfa, and therefore never 'sent' representatives from the Spanish club to see Ben Arfa.

'OL can confirm that only two clubs showed an interest in signing the player: Marseille and Paris St-Germain.

'President Jean-Michel Aulas informed the player of this in order to find out his choice, which was Marseille.'



ESPNsoccernet: Help | Media Kit | Contact Us | Site Map | Tools | Jobs at ESPN | Supplier Information | Copyright ©2009 ESPN Internet Ventures.
Terms of Use (Updated 5/6/08), and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.