Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris has revealed that any attention from Manchester United would not go unnoticed as he sent out a come-and-get-me plea to Alex Ferguson.
In an interview to a French newspaper he said: “’Manchester United is a great football club. They are one of the most successful clubs in the world, so, of course, Manchester is one of the clubs that make me dream.”
The 24 year old is a great admirer of Van der Sar and said the even at 40 he is “capable of exceptional things.” After expressing his disappointment at the Dutchman’s retirement he moved to appease his current employers by ensuring that there is “no question of a departure from Lyon at the moment.”
Capped 20 times by France after making his senior international debut at 22, Lloris has become one of the World’s best goalkeepers. At 18 he was a crucial part of the French side that triumphed in 2005 at the U19 European Championships and soon after became a regular in Ligue 1.
He made a name for himself at Nice where in 2007 – 2008 he conceded only 24 goals in 30 appearances with a stunning total of 13 clean sheets.
After his €8.5 million move to Lyon in the summer of 2008, following the collapse of a deal to take him to AC Milan, he once again excelled himself as he ended the campaign having conceded just 27 goals and clocking up 16 clean sheets.
This earned him a place in the Ligue 1 team of the year as well as the goalkeeper of the year – an accolade he still holds today having won again last season. With Plenty of Champions League experience and no stranger to international football – most notably his performances during the two legged World Cup Qualifier playoff against Ireland which saw him dubbed “Saint Lloris” – he would be a perfect replacement for Van der Sar. Fergie was initially put off by the £15 million price tag but at just 24 years old the price would seem frugal after a couple of years with Lloris between the sticks.
Gregory Coupet has called him “phenomenal” and he appears to be just that as he is capable of the magnificent, commands his box with aplomb and has tremendous decision making. With 6 clean sheets in 23 league games so far for Lyon he looks to be on his way to another successful season, personally at least. With Lyon sitting seven points behind the league leaders and battling for a European spot the sight of Lloris waxing lyrical about Man United looks ominous for the former French champions.
With Ferguson desperate to get an equally as gifted goalkeeper to replace the retiring Van der Sar it could be Lyon on the lookout for a replacement sooner rather than later.
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