[Attention] Juninho could leave!

[Allez Lyonnais]

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/20070313_150240Dev.html

http://www.football365.fr/infos_clubs/lyon/story_156519_Juninho-met-la-pression.shtml

Okay, here's the deal: Juni wants to extend his contract for two years whereas JMA has (apparently) offered him a one-year extension which made him feel very upset. His current contract expires in the summer of 2008 and he has an option to extend it for a further year, but apparently he doesn't wish to exercise that.

He says he wants to finish his career at Lyon in 2010 but if he doesn't get the deal he demands, he might as well look for elsewhere. :eek:

[rossgreen]

Who would take him for the contract time he wants, though? He's not getting any younger.

[Highbury]

Juninho to MLS!

[Inara]

I don't know how likely that is. He might be saying that as a combination of his disillusionment and his way of hitting back at Aulas after all those "Brazillian mob" comments and the situation with Cacapa (who btw is more likely to leave this summer).

Juninho wants to stay at Lyon for two years and retire in 2010 at the age of 34 - not that old when you think of the many other players that age as well. And Juninho (at least earlier in the season) was playing like a man in his twenties. So I don't think it's unreasonable that he's asking.

You're right, he won't have a lot of suitors, and certainly, he won't get an amazing contract offer, and not for more than two years either. But many clubs would welcome a short term solution like Juninho, who in turn might relish the opportunity to play at a different club that might afford him more chances at winning the CL.

I think, eventually, Aulas will give in because Juninho is the heart of the team, and he knows he can't replace Juninho quickly. Whatever replacement he might have picked out will still need time to grow into the playmaking role. Furthermore, Juninho symbolizes everything that is so great about Lyon, and not having him there would be a huge blow to the supporters as well.

[Gotham PSG]

He just wants a bit more money and a better job security. He won't leave.
And Aulas won't let him leave, Lyon needs him
Although come to think of it, he should fit very well in the MLS if somebody showed him the money

[rossgreen]

Where do you think Cacapa goes?

[DaeHaMinGuk]

I'm not overly concerned. Because of Juninho's age, I'm not sure which major European clubs he would be a good fit in with.

He isn't a good fit in England and would probably fit best in Italy or Spain. Perhaps Juventus?

I just don't see Juninho leaving OL for a mid-table club in a major domestic league.

[guignol]

Where do you think Cacapa goes?they say greece. but he'd be leaving to get playing time... it's pretty clear he won't break back into the starting lineup again.

[guignol]

I'm not overly concerned. Because of Juninho's age, I'm not sure which major European clubs he would be a good fit in with... I just don't see Juninho leaving OL for a mid-table club in a major domestic league.above all, he's said for years he's going to end his career at OL, and he will. all in all the language he's using to try to negotiate 2 years instead of one is pretty tame, and he did the same before his last extension. he'll get all the assurances he wants, including reconversion after his playing days, just like sonny.

[guignol]

two articles on olweb about ol' n°8...

first some stats, some of which are pretty amazing: since being with the club he's been involved in 30% of goals OL scores when he plays... and this year it's been 63% :eek: ... and when juni has scored (with the exception of 2 PK's) OL has NEVER lost!

http://www.olweb.fr/index.php?pid=101002&a=31956&lng=en

second, he's a daddy again... 3 girls!

http://www.olweb.fr/index.php?lng=en&a=29352&pid=103002

also of notice is that olweb is doing a better and better job of getting the news out in english... check out the site if you haven't before.