[misha]

Lyon full-back Eric Abidal has revealed that he turned down an offer from Milan in the hope of joining Barcelona.

The 27-year-old is expected to sign a deal with the Spanish giants on Friday and is looking forward to teaming up with fellow countryman Thierry Henry, who also arrived in Catalonia this week.

“Barcelona are just the club where I have always dreamed of playing when I was a kid. They are a great outfit,” said Abidal in an interview with L’Equipe.

“Milan were interested in me? It is true. They are a prestigious club, but today Italy is not my aim. Maybe when I am older I will change my mind,” added the Frenchman.

“The day I signed for Lyon I could not believe it so, if as expected, I sign for Barcelona on Friday I will be in the same state of mind. It really is a dream come true.

“I spoke on the phone with Henry. He called me during the holidays to tell me that he would sign for them, so I did the same when I knew I would sign,” concluded the former Monaco defender.

Abidal, who joined Lyon from Lille in 2004, is expected sign a four-year contract with the Blaugrana, who have agreed to pay the French champions around £10m

Break a leg at Barca (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Well, if I am gonna go by your logic, then Iaquinta is one of the best Italian strikers .. so I get where ur coming from

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I don't like Abidal as a player at all, usually I'll insult a player when I don't like him, but Abidal? I don't hate him at all.

At Villa, I'd personally keep the left back we already have over him. Freddie Bouma owns. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

As for Milan. Jankulovski is better than him, and I'd much prefer to bring Zambrotta in over him. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I don't like Abidal as a player at all, usually I'll insult a player when I don't like him, but Abidal? I don't hate him at all.

At Villa, I'd personally keep the left back we already have over him. Freddie Bouma owns.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

As for Milan. Jankulovski is better than him, and I'd much prefer to bring Zambrotta in over him.  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Zambrotta is the ideal player to solve our wb problems ... But Janku is no left back. Sure he was great this season and he has showed solid performances, but he is a left winger or left midfielder naturally. In that case, Abidal is a dedicated left back. I have envied Lyon for having him. I don't know why you would think anything otherwise, but I guess you haven't seen him play much .. Well, you'll see what I mean next season (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Zambrotta is the ideal player to solve our wb problems ... But Janku is no left back. Sure he was great this season and he has showed solid performances, but he is a left winger or left midfielder naturally. In that case, Abidal is a dedicated left back. I have envied Lyon for having him. I don't know why you would think anything otherwise, but I guess you haven't seen him play much .. Well, you'll see what I mean next season (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I can't say I've seen THAT much of him. I thought he was okay in the CL, I wasn't impressed at all at the World Cup though or in the league so much, maybe I was trying to compare him to the great Bixente too much. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

His downfall in the league may be that it's very uncompetitive for Lyon, the players would lose interest. Ah well, maybe he'll prove me wrong now he gets to play at a top club. He could solve their left back problem, Zambrotta for me is best at right back and the likes of Gio and Slyvinho, while good, aren't good enough for Barca at the left back position.