Michel Bastos: Dazzling Brazilian Winger to Join Lyon as Spurs & Aston Villa Miss Out
Tottenham and Aston Villa look likely to miss out on one of the stars of the 2008/09 French League, the Brazilian winger Michel Bastos. French giants Lyon have made their move for the Lille star which has been accepted by the player’s club. Lille president Michel Seydoux confirmed this when he told L’Equipe TV, “We’re close to an agreement with OL.”
“This will be done in the next few days.
“I’ve opened a window for this player because we received an exceptional offer.
“After three years of good and loyal service, I want to see him continue his progression.
“But he will be absolutely the only departure.”
The 25-year-old left-winger was in sensational form last season for Lille which attracted the interest of the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea. The Premier League clubs were also joined by European big-hitters Lyon and Bayern Munich in their admiration of the Samba star. It would seem Lyon now have their man as they continue to rebuild after a poor 2008/09 season.
Harry Redknapp had the Brazilian on his radar although his first choice to fill the left-midfield slot at White Hart Lane was Aston Villa’s Ashley Young. Bastos was a target for Aston Villa as a readymade replacement for Young as numerous clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea continue to take an interest.
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The Brazilian has played for Lille for the past 3 seasons but 2008/09 was without a doubt his most productive campaign. He was the club’s top league scorer with 14 goals in 37 appearances (35 starts) which is an excellent return for a left winger. Bastos was joint 3rd top scorer in the division and his total of 14 was just 3 goals less than highly-rated Lyon sensation Karim Benzema. Not only did the player score goals but his 9 assists in the league was higher than any other player. He narrowly missed out on the French Footballer of the Year award to Bordeaux’s Yoann Gourcuff.
Bastos began his career in his homeland with Esporte Clube Pelotas before moving to Feyenoord in Holland. He failed to make an appearance for the first team before moving to Excelsior for one season where he made 28 league appearances (25 starts). He returned to Brazil to play for Atletico Paranese, Gremio and Figueirense before moving to Lille in 2006.
The 5 ft 10 winger has improved with every season in France and boasts an impressive record of 25 goals in 97 league appearances (85 starts). He is renowned for the accuracy and power in his left foot and is one of the most feared dead-ball specialists in French football both from the penalty spot and from free-kicks.
Despite his excellent form the winger has yet to play for his country. He told the AFP news agency, “I know [breaking into the Brazil team] will be hard if I remain with LOSC because the French league is not watched in Brazil.”
Despite the likelihood he will be remaining in France, Lyon are seen as a bigger attraction than Lille in terms of European prestige but whether that will be enough to enable the player to break into his national team remains to be seen.
Do you like the look of the player? Are you disappointed your club failed to sign Bastos? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Aston Villa, Brazil, Lille, Lyon, Michel Bastos, Tottenham
