Bayer reveal Forssell talks

By Graeme Bailey and Jonne Ylanne
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that they have held talks with Chelsea about a prospective swap deal involving Mikael Forssell and Lucio.

The Blues' interest in Brazilian defender Lucio goes back a number of months and Bayer are hoping to take advantage of this by landing Forssell.

The Finnish starlet is very highly rated in Germany after bagging seven goals in 16 games whilst on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach last season.

A number of Bundesliga clubs have shown a strong interest in Forssell, but Bayer were the closest to snapping him up in the summer.

However, after agreeing a year-long loan - they baulked at Chelsea's last-minute demand of including a January recall option.

After the move to Bayer fell through, Forssell was loaned to Birmingham City on a five-month deal.

The 22-year-old has again been in impressive form scoring three times already this season and Birmingham have admitted they would love to secure his signature themselves.

Bayer, though, have different ideas and are hoping to strike a deal using Lucio - which would see Forssell move to The BayArena in January and the Brazilian switching to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

"We are interested," admitted sporting director Jurgen Kohler to Express.

"There has been contact between the clubs and we will now wait to see what happens."

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=166700

Would be a good move for Forssell. He has more chance seeing European football in Germany than with the blues.

Would be a good move.

Another NonEU Player? Hmmm

maybe Bayer should have asked for Gallas and Forssell for Lucio....

Should be Forssell+some cash for Lucio.


Anyway, I hope Forssell moves to Leverkusen, he's a nice guy with great skills.


Leverkusen would have an awesome front with Forssell and Franca. :o


edit: argh :crazyboy:

Originally posted by vince15
Should be Lucio+some cash for Lucio.


:confused:

I think he means Forssell and Cash for Lucio.

Chelsea shouldn't trade Forsell when they can get out the wallets and just buy him straight out

Forsell is really a good player.. Pity he found himself at Chelsea! Haha.. But I would rather like him to stay in the EPL.. I get to see him more..

yea forsell is a player with a lot of potential, which will not be realised if he goes back to chelsea and stays since they already have to many strikers, however i fear chelsea may want to keep him just to use him in friendlies and dead rubbers so they dont risk injuring their stars, many of which they have-what a joke ever hear of a salary cap you english!

Chelsea´s been crap for Forssell. He should´ve got to play alot more. He has the potential to be a top striker.

I really hope this doesn't happen for two reasons:

1.Lucio is one of my favorite players and I would hate it if we lost him
2.Bringing on another striker will bring in more competition for Berbatov and it could mean less playing time for him

damn...mutu, crespo, hasselbaink, eidur, carlton cole, and forssell. all internationals, well except cole who should be one in a few years.

i think you can say chelsea can afford to sell one.

Is Lucio even a good defender? I mean a top class one like Nesta, Chivu, etc.
Or is he even as good as Terry or Gallas at this point? I've only heard of Lucio's attacking abilities and of his questionable defensive play.

Lucio is worldclass at both sides of the pitch, somethimes a bit too lightheaded.

I think he's on the same level as Nesta and Chivu and better than Chelsea's defenders.


Run DMB, don't forget Nowotny is back and Leverkusen are forced to sell Lucio anyways. So they could make a good deal._

About Berbatov...he just doesn't improve.

wow...on the same level as nesta...

If he were to go to Bayer, would he get playing time as he does now? He's been impressive while on loan at Birmingham.

Maybe Birmingham will be interested in buying him on a permanent basis come end of the season?.

Luciano Figueroa + Mikael Forssell.

Partnership of the future.

Originally posted by ManU2000
If he were to go to Bayer, would he get playing time as he does now?
Yup.


Maybe Birmingham will be interested in buying him on a permanent basis come end of the season?
Birmingham probably won't be playing in Europe so Bayer are looking more attractive.

I'm not suprised that Bayer are after him.

Their potential strikers are a bit limited, with only 4 that can really play at the top level, and only 2 have proven themselves. Franca is just starting to play good, and Berbatov never lived up to his potential.

Originally posted by vince15
Run DMB, don't forget Nowotny is back and Leverkusen are forced to sell Lucio anyways.
I know. :( :( :(
Originally posted by vince15
About Berbatov...he just doesn't improve.
I still don't understand this:

how can he OWN when he's with the national team, and then underperform for Leverkusen? He scores every game for Bulgaria. At the rate he's going he could pass Stoitchkov's mark by the time his career is over. Yet he's not even a starter at Leverkusen right now.

lucio :rockman:

Lucios wanted by heaps of clubs in my Cm4 game

I hope they sort out some deal on this.. Many clubs are intersted in Forssell, so it doesn´t have to be Leverkusen..

I cant see anything happening to Forsell untill he has finished his loan deal with the Blues

Never liked Lucio since it was his goal that knocked Liverpool out of the CL a few years back. :(