Michael Chretien

Amongst all the Tal ben Haim and Lucas Neill gossip, news of a move for another full back emerged over the weekend. A less familiar name, this time: AS Nancy's Moroccan right back Michael Chretien (wikipedia article HERE, more detailed stats HERE).

Only recently turned 24, Chretien has been a regular since the 2002/03 season; playing 188 league games since then and scoring nine goals. Eligible for both France and Morocco, he chose to represent the latter at full international level.

This article appeared in Marca on Saturday. It mentions City as one of 'five or six' teams interested in signing Chretien, although it claims that Real Betis are favourites. Betis are apparently close to agreeing a deal of €5million, offering Chretien a four year contract. But the article is clear that no firm offer has been made yet.

The story was then in L'Equipe. Again mentioning Betis (and Sevilla), and suggesting that a €4,5million move to Spain was close, it concluded: "But Manchester City have not yet had their last word."

UPDATE: I somehow missed these actual quotes from Chretien about our interest! Basically, he confirms that we're in for him but says he'd most like to play in Spain.