Olympique Lyonnais Star Juninho Linked With Qatar Move

A report in L’Equipe has hinted that the final few Ligue 1 fixtures of the season will be the last chance that Olympique Lyonnais fans get to savour the talents of influential Brazilian midfielder Juninho, who has been strongly linked with a move to Qatar by the sports daily.

The 34-year-old, who is closing in on 100 Lyon goals, has a contract that expires in 2010. However, there were tentative suggestions that he could retire from the game entirely this summer. Reports in France suggest that he will simply try a different tact.

L’Equipe states that Juninho’s agent “specialises in the placement of European and South American players in this country” and that the former Vasco de Gama midfielder is primed to speak to Qatar’s Olympic Committee, as well as the unnamed club involved in the deal. Furthermore, it is suggested that the player is set for “decisive” talks in Doha next week.

Lyon have fallen from their perch as stick-on French champions. And Juninho, along with Sidney Govou and the now departed Gregory Coupet, has been involved in all seven of their previous title successes but appears to be primed to move on in the summer, drawing OL’s most successful era firmly to a close.

He is currently sidelined with an adductor problem and will miss this weekend’s match in Valenciennes.

The fixture is crucial for les Gones, who are attempting to eradicate a six point gap built up by league leaders Olympique de Marseille, while trying to fend off Paris Saint-Germain, who are grappling for the third and final Champions League spot. Girondins de Bordeaux, who are second, boast a four point lead over Claude Puel’s men.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com