July 03, 2007
LYON president Jean-Michel Aulas fears Florent Malouda's proposed move to Chelsea may not materialise.
Malouda, 27, has made it clear he wants to join the Blues and claims he has already spoken to boss Jose Mourinho.
But the FA Cup winners are still weighing up a bid for the winger who is valued at around £17million by his French club.
Lyon are already back in training ahead of the new season and Aulas does not believe Chelsea will finalise the deal.
He said: "I told Flo that I wasn't sure the deal was going to materialise and that it was necessary he returned to training.
"I am not sure Chelsea have the desire or the means to call out to Florent Malouda.
"Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said to Flo he was leaving for Moscow to meet the club's owner Roman Abramovich.
"But I don't feel these people really want to tie up this deal."
Malouda, who has also been linked with Liverpool, did not join his team-mates yesterday for Lyon's first day of pre-season training.
But he is set to link up with the squad later this week as he awaits news from Chelsea.
LYON president Jean-Michel Aulas fears Florent Malouda's proposed move to Chelsea may not materialise.
Malouda, 27, has made it clear he wants to join the Blues and claims he has already spoken to boss Jose Mourinho.
But the FA Cup winners are still weighing up a bid for the winger who is valued at around £17million by his French club.
Lyon are already back in training ahead of the new season and Aulas does not believe Chelsea will finalise the deal.
He said: "I told Flo that I wasn't sure the deal was going to materialise and that it was necessary he returned to training.
"I am not sure Chelsea have the desire or the means to call out to Florent Malouda.
"Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said to Flo he was leaving for Moscow to meet the club's owner Roman Abramovich.
"But I don't feel these people really want to tie up this deal."
Malouda, who has also been linked with Liverpool, did not join his team-mates yesterday for Lyon's first day of pre-season training.
But he is set to link up with the squad later this week as he awaits news from Chelsea.