All the rumours, all the facts
Olympique Lyon left winger and French international Hatem Ben Arfa (21) will not play for Barcelona as of next season, like had been rumoured over the last months (read more here).
(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 7 we look at the wing attackers)
2007-2008
On the right wing, Giovani dos Santos (19) got a lot more playing time than expected due to the two serious injuries of Lionel Messi (20). Bojan (17) and Eto'o also moved away from the centre to the right side a few times this season.
First choice on the left wing Ronaldinho (28) had a season full of injuries and was rarely fit and on top of his game. Andrés Iniesta (24) and Thierry Henry (30) were the players who used to replace him. Santiago Ezquerro (31) did not get many opportunities.
Out
Despite interest from Chelsea and Inter, Messi will certainly stay. The situation of Giovani is not clear. He could leave on a loan or a permanent deal. Manchester City, Inter and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested. Both players could also be used more on the left wing next season.
Ronaldinho will most probably leave in the summer. AC Milan is the main candidate for the transfer, with Manchester City and Inter Milan as the most important challengers. The contract of Ezquerro expires in June and the player didn't receive a renewal offer.
In
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich - 24), who can play on both wings, is probably the main candidate but is very unlikely to leave the German champions after one year. The other name that has been sticking out is left winger David Silva (Valencia - 22).
Further there were rumours about Hatem ben Arfa (Lyon - 22), Diego Capel (Sevilla - 20), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - 23), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña - 21) and Mancini (AS Roma - 27). Gai Assulin (17) could be promoted from the Barcelona B team.
Read all How things stand contributions here or read the contribution about:
Goal keeper - Right back defender - Central defenders - Left back defender - Defensive midfielder - Attacking midfielders - Wing attackers - Centre forward
Barcelona sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain is still closely monitoring the situation of Olympique Lyon left wing attacker Hatem Ben Arfa (21).
The French international is both on and off the pitch uncomfortable in Lyon due to his bad relation with Olympique Lyon manager Alain Perrin and has announced that he will leave the French champion in the summer. Ben Arfa is believed to be able to add something to the Barcelona squad, but he would not be seen as a sure regular.
Begiristain already tried to transfer Ben Arfa three years ago, but although he could stay with Lyon on loan, the player didn't accept the offer (read more here). And when the loan deal on Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas was signed last January (read more here), Begiristain asked to include an option to buy Ben Arfa in the contract, something that was rejected by Lyon.
Read more:
Transfer history: Ben Arfa (Lyon)
Lyon wants to buy Crosas
Transfer period analysis: Winter 2008
In an interview this weekend with Catalan sports paper Sport, Olympique Lyon left winger Hatem Ben Arfa (20) revealed that Barcelona tried to transfer him three years ago.
The agent of the French international was contacted by Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain who proposed the player to join Barcelona but to keep on playing for Lyon. The player rejected the offer, thinking is was better for his development to just keep on growing some more years in France.
(read more Barcelona transfer history stories here)
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