One of the major transfer sagas in the early days of this January transfer window is the transfer of Maxime Gonalons to Napoli from Lyon. The news broke that there had been contact between the two clubs over Frenchman, with Napoli manager Rafeal Benitez being a long term admirer of the midfielder. The deal looked to be completed this week with a fee of around £14 million being agreed for Lyon's skipper. However it was Lyon's president Jean-Michel Aulas who has since pulled the plug on the deal, despite a fee being agreed between the clubs. It is rumoured that Lyon manager Remi Garde had demanded to keep Gonalons, with some reports suggesting there was a threat that if Maxime Gonalons was sold Garde would resign.
Today, Gonalons' representative Frederic Guerra has admitted that personal terms were also agreed and the move was close to being completed. "We agreed to the move and Maxime was happy to move to the Azzurri. He liked the project and everything was alright. The player would have been going to an ambitious team whilst also improving his salary."
Guerra admits that Gonalons was keen on the move and excited, but is quick to point out that the 24 year old will not be trying to force his way out of his boyhood club by stating: "There will be no tug-of-war with Lyon."
Although a move looks unlikely during this January window, a move could happen in the summer transfer window. Guerra admits that "A future departure is not excluded." It remains to be seen if Napoli are to try and reignite the deal that was so close to being completed as it seems Napoli's intense interest has cooled over the last few days.
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