Friday, 28th June, 2013
Monaco and Atletico Madrid will be preparing to battle two other Ligue 1 clubs in FC Lorient and Rennes for the right to sign midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, according to reports in both Spain and France.
Toulalan has spent the last two seasons with Malaga, and even took part in their historic Champions League run to the quarter-finals.
Injuries had limited his game time in La Liga this season, but the 29-year-old did manage 19 appearances in the league, with his displays attracting rivals Atletico Madrid.
Reports had surfaced earlier this month that Toulalan was poised for a move to Atletico, but Monaco are joined by Rennes and Lorient now, as Malaga are unable to provide European football.
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The cash-strapped club were banned from European competition following unpaid bills, and will be keen to gain as much financial solidity in the transfer window as is possible.
Lorient have already made their interest clear, with club president Loic Fery telling Ouest France: "Jeremy Toulalan is part of the type of players that interest us.
"I heard he was considering a return to France, and he is a player with whom we would love to have a discussion. The question is whether this can be done within the framework and the model of the club."
According to reports in Cadena SER and Nice Matin, Malaga’s leaders have met with their counterparts in Monaco to discuss a transfer, while Rennes’ interest had emerged earlier last week through French daily L’Equipe.
Toulalan had been a regular with France’s national side, having made 36 appearances including three in Euro 2008 and two in the last World Cup.
His successes at club level came with Lyon – whom he left for Malaga – where he won two Ligue 1 titles, and a French Cup.
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