Tottenham were viewed as favourites to win the race for the signature of one of the stars of French football…the Albanian midfielder Lorik Cana this summer. However, new of Gunners target Felipe Melo signing a contract extension at Fiorentina has led to speculation that Arsenal will know compete with their North London rivals for the Marseille captain.
The player himself has suggested that a move could be finalised by the end of this week with the Emirates or White Hart Lane a likely destination. He said, “A transfer is not certain yet, I’m still captain of the OM [Marseille]. One thing I do know: we will have a clearer picture at the end of the week.”
“There are opportunities to go in the course of this week or next. I am thinking logically at the moment. If the conditions are met, I will [leave]. Anyway, for now, nothing is already done and nothing is 100% secure, even on my side. I have not even discussed with the new coach.”
Cana is a 25-year-old defensive midfielder with a reputation as a hard man in French football after numerous booking and red cards following his 7-season spell in France for both PSG and Marseille. The 6 ft 1 star is a cult figure at the Stade Velodrome for his no-nonsense displays and is more than physically equipped for English football.The player had openly admitted to his interest in a move when he told Aujourd ‘Hui Sport, “The door remains open for a departure, even with three years remaining on my contract.
“I will talk with my family and my representatives at the end of the season. It will then depend on what I want to do. I believe that if I want to leave, everyone at this club will respect my decision.
“It is not certain that I will be terminating my contract though. I am in no rush.
“Of the possible destinations in the future, England and Germany are the two leagues that attract me the most.”
Cana was born in the former Yugoslavia but as a youngster moved to Switzerland to escape the war. His father was a famous footballer himself in Yugoslavia in the 1980’s. The defensive midfielder joined Swiss outfit Lausanne Sports but moved to PSG in 2000 despite only being a youth team player at the time without making a first team appearance.
The midfield enforcer broke into the PSG first team during the 2002/03 season and went on to make 69 league appearances for the club while scoring twice. During this time he attracted the attention of a number of top European clubs including Arsenal who invited him for trials which he could not attend due to visa issues. Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer and with Cesc Fabregas pleading for a midfield hardman this summer, Cana would be an obvious choice now the club’s number one target Felipe Melo looks set to remain at Fiorentina.
Cana moved to Marseille during the 2005/06 season and has since made 122 league appearances for the club and scored 6 goals. He took over the captaincy of the club from Habib Beye who joined Newcastle in 2007 and led Marseille to the runners-up spot in the French championship behind Bordeaux last season.
Cana to Kiss Marseille Goodbye?Despite being born in the former Yugoslavia and brought up in Switzerland, Cana chose Albania to represent at international level explaining that he went with his heart rather than his head. He has passports for France, Switzerland and Albania. Cana broke into his national side in 2003 aged 19. He has now featured a total of 37 times and scored once.
Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton have also been strongly linked to the aggressive midfield star who would certainly add more steel and height to both line-ups. Harry Redknapp is looking to build his new look Tottenham team around a midfield pairing of Cana and Wilson Palacios which would surely be one of the most feared physically in the Premier League. After all, Cana has been booked 62 times and red carded 4 times in just 191 league appearances in French football. However, Arsenal’s renewed interest may affect Spurs chances of completing a transfer as they can offer Champions League football next season.
Would you like Lorik Cana in your midfield next season? Is the hardman perfect for your team or do you seem his as a liability? Let’s hear your views.
Source: The new football pools
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