Arsenal Women coach Jonas Eidevall has refuted reports linking midfielder Lia Walti with a move to Real Madrid. The Swiss midfielder, who signed a new contract last summer, had been linked with a move away either this month or in the summer. However, Eidevall dismissed those reports.
‘Yes (she is staying). I don’t have any other idea in my head and I don’t think she does either.’ When asked where the stories came from, Eidevall answered, ‘Obviously from people that want attention.
‘I think that is the problem with rumours, when there is not a direct, reliable source, you can’t really do much with them. The Lia Walti potentially leaving rumour definitely falls into the category of being with no truth whatsoever and she is a player we are very happy with.
‘I think she is very happy at the club as well. I understand that it is hard for supporters when you read things like that to understand if there is truth in it, this one definitely does not.’
Eidevall also suggested Arsenal’s incoming transfer business for January is likely done, when asked by Sky Sports about the remainder of the January window he said, ‘Little bit more but not much more incoming, it might be a little but more on the outgoing side.
‘We have a good balance in the squad and a player like Leah Williamson returning from injury and Laura Wienrouither as well coming here in the spring that puts us in a good situation.’
The plan is still for Brazilian winger Gio to go out on loan, as Eidevall confirmed when asked by Arseblog News, ‘Yes, that is still the plan, she needs minutes.’
Well, thank goodness for that! I didn’t want to believe it, but you never know…
Aside from the source of the rumour, I think the idea that anyone in Lia’s position would consider Real Madrid at the moment was the clincher for me…
Suckers for the worst, so far remote from the truth: Press Speculation.