15 June 2006

FABIEN BARTHEZ'S agent has revealed that Rangers boss Paul Le Guen turned down the opportunity to sign the France No.1.

What The Papers SayInstead, the manager remains focused on bringing freed Paris St Germain keeper Lionel Letizi to Glasgow.

Barthez, a free agent after quitting Marseille at the end of the season, was offered to Le Guen last week after Dutchman Ronald Waterreus failed to agree a new deal.

But with the manager already locked in discussions with Letizi, he decided the overall package to bring in the former Manchester United keeper would prove too costly.

Barthez topped a recent poll of French football's highest earners with his reputed £40,000-a-week salary at the Velodrome and Letizi's demands don't come anywhere near that level.

Barthez's agent Jean-Marie Cantona, brother of Eric, said: "I know Paul Le Guen very well from his time in France and had a friendly discussion about the possibility of Fabien going to Rangers.

"I knew Paul wanted to change his goalkeeping position at Rangers but he didn't want to take on Fabien. He has other options and I respect him for that."

The spurned opportunity to sign Barthez is a further indication Le Guen won't merely be bringing in players based on reputation.

Toulouse are ready to offer Barthez an emotional return to his first club and as he edges closer to staying in France, so Letizi saves from Porto's Benni McCarthytoo do Rangers towards sealing a deal for his one-time international understudy Letizi.

The twice-capped 33-year-old, has opened talks on a two-year deal and despite strong interest from Nantes and Ligue 1's new arrivals Valenciennes, Letizi has made Rangers his first option.

His advisors believe a deal could be completed by the weekend, in time for Letizi to start pre-season training at Murray Park on Tuesday and his agent Eric Castagnino said: "There are other options for Lionel but at the moment we aren't interested in discussing them.

"We only want to listen to what Rangers have to say and I do believe something will happen there. He's very interested in a move to Scotland and we'll see what develops." Source - Daily Record

13 June 2006

Rangers are believed to be close to signing French keeper Lionel Letizi.

The 33-year-old is unhappy that Paris Saint Germain have signed Mickael Landreau from Nantes so he has decided to quit the capital club.

Paul Le Guen is pondering a move for a new keeper with Ronald Waterreus looking to be heading for the exit door, and talks are expected to be stepped up this week.

Monaco and Lens are also admirers of the veteran goalie, with Lens ready to move if Charles Itandje, who has been linked with Portsmouth and Manchester City, moves to England. Source - Sky Sports

11 June 2006

Former Hearts striker Stephane Adam believes Rangers will be taking a gamble if they lure Paris St Germain goalkeeper Lionel Letizi to Ibrox.

The 33-year-old has emerged as a target after Ronald Waterreus left the club and injury to Stefan Klos.

But Adam, who played with Letizi at Metz, said: "He is a talented goalkeeper, but he has an image of being inconsistent in France.

"He can be excellent but he has a lack of concentration sometimes."

Letizi has expressed his interest in joining Rangers, while PSG say they would not stand in his way.

"Lionel is reputed to be fantastic one minute by making great saves and then he can lose goals quite suddenly the next," Adam told the Sunday Mail.

"And, for the last couple of seasons, he has had a few injury problems with his back.

"Paris St Germain obviously don't need to keep him - they have someone else - so that seems to be the end of the story for him there now.

"He is 33 now. Is he able to come to Ibrox and rise to the challenge? I'm not sure. It is difficult to know.

"In my opinion, Rangers are having a bet here." Source - BBC Sport

6 June 2006

Lionel Letizi's agent has confirmed that the Paris Saint Germain shot-stopper is interested in a move to Rangers.

The 33-year-old has seen his place threatened at Parc des Princes by the arrival of Mikael Landreau and he has admitted he would consider a switch abroad.

Rangers are entering a new era under coach Paul Le Guen and with doubts remaining over Ronald Wattereus's future they could be interested in bolstering their goalkeeping options.

Now Letizi's agent Eric Castagnino, who is also believed to have fielded enquiries from Nice and St Etienne, has revealed his client would be interested in a move to Ibrox to join Le Guen.

"There are a few clubs interested in Lionel and Rangers are certainly one of them," Castagnino told The Herald.

"We have had some discussions and made a proposition to the club.

"We're now waiting to hear back from Rangers and we will hopefully take the situation forward from there.

"There are also two clubs in France also wanting to sign Lionel but he is very interested in the possibility of going to Rangers.

"It's a great club and would provide a new experience for him.

"Obviously, the fact that Paul Le Guen is their new coach is also an attraction for any French player.

"I think that Lionel's position will become much clearer within the next week or two." Source - Sky Sports