Lyon

Lyon Launch Monster Bid For Steve Savidan

Olympique Lyonnais are reported to have bid €13 million plus Frédéric Piquionne in order to lure Caen forward Steve Savidan to the Stade Gerland.

Jan 19, 2009 3:51:34 PM

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Ligue 1 : Steve Savidan (SM Caen)

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Steve Savidan

Steve Savidan has become something of a cult hero in France since signing for Caen in the summer. Although he managed back-to-back 13-goal seasons with Valenciennes, the 30 year-old forward has only recently received the recognition his performances have deserved.

A whirlwind of fame has swept the modest Savidan’s world, peaking at the time he made his international debut for France against Uruguay in mid-November. Like everything else that the former barman has touched in the last seven months, that brief cameo appearance also turned to gold as he linked up superbly with Karim Benzema but could not force a goal in a match that ended scoreless.

It was this instant rapport that the striker struck up with Benzema that may have tempted Lyon into a winter swoop for the Angers-born player, who was also linked with Olympique de Marseille.

Savidan’s current employers, SM Caen, have emphatically rejected any assertions that their prized asset, whom they signed this summer for a relatively modest fee (media reports suggest between €3 million and €5 million) is for sale.

In light of this, Lyon are reported by radio station RMC to have launched a monster bid worth €13 million for ‘Savigol’, who has eight goals and five assists to his name in 20 appearances this season. Sweetening the deal further would be misfit striker Frédéric Piquionne, who has struggled to settle in the Rhône Valley.

Savidan, evidently, would not be opposed to such a deal. “We have been approached,” the striker admitted on l’Equipe TV, keeping the exact details of any bid close to his chest. “Now it’s for the board to decide. I’m not the kind of guy to go knocking on their door. It’s important that a decision is taken jointly tonight.

“I’m not waiting for anything. Certainly, it’s hard to say that I’m not interested.”

Although Savidan has proven a very valuable player for Caen, the sums of money for a 30 year-old player seem astronomical, particularly as Piquionne, a player Lyon bought for €4.5 million in the summer, could be included in the deal.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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