William Gallas To Join Greek Club Panathinaikos

Wednesday, 09 June 2010 19:04 1970’s Gooner

iSporter 1970’s Gooner reports on Arsenal defender's alleged move to Panathinaikos.

gallas alone

Gallas was offered only a year’s extension on his contract with Arsenal and was also set a deadline by Arsene Wenger to make his decision known by the end of May.

That deadline has come and gone and Gallas, who is usually quite outspoken, has kept totally quiet. So quiet that he has recently refused to appear before the media alongside Hugo Lloris at France's base in Knysna, Western Cape. Only the goalkeeper turned up.

"William has decided not to speak to the media for the duration of the World Cup finals," a team spokesman said, without elaborating.

One possible reason was that he was bypassed for the France captaincy by coach Demenech for Patrice Evra.

Another reason could well be however that he may not have wished to face questions about his mooted move to Greek club Panathinaikos, where his mate, ex Liverpool player, Jibril Cisse is plying his trade.

Radio Monte Carlo in France has reported, in the same manner it first broke the news last year about Cisse joining Panathinaikos, that Gallas has received yesterday night (Monday) an offer of a two year contract with 5m euros per year.

Cisse is likely to fill him in on Greek football and way of life. He has actually benefited from his move to Greece finishing top goal scorer and getting called up in the France national team for the World Cup.

Gallas’s contract with Arsenal ends on 30th June and the player is likely to keep his mouth shut till then.

What this means is that in one go four central defenders may be leaving Arsenal en masse. Gallas and Silvestre’s contracts are not likely to be renewed, Campell is thinking about joining Celtic and Senderos has today signed for Fulham.

This leaves us at the moment with Vermaelen and Djourou. No wonder Wenger has been talking about strengthening the defence.

He has to get on with it pretty soon though….