Chedjou open to Premier League transfer
Lille centre-back Aurélien Chedjou has expressed his desire to leave France for England and believes that the Premier League is the best league in the world.
The Cameroon international was a transfer target for Liverpool last season before Serie A giants Juventus made an approach for the central defender's services in the summer.
Chedjou rejected a move abroad and instead signed a contract extension at Lille until 2015.
However, a clause inserted in his contract means he is free to discuss a move at the end of the current campaign, and Chedjou has admitted that he would prefer to leave France for England's Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo.com, the 26-year-old said: "I would like to go - in England or maybe in Germany. I don’t really have preferences.
"But today, I would say I have a soft spot for England because it is a really fascinating championship. Moreover, I watched the Arsenal-Newcastle game and it really was the best of the best.
"I also went to London recently – Gervinho invited me. I saw the Arsenal-Manchester United match, when Arsenal lost. The football was beautiful.
"It's a football I would like to discover. I hope I will have the chance in my career to play some Premier League matches because for me, today, it is the best championship in the world.
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"We hear about interests when it is the transfer period in December or June. It’s true there was interest from the clubs you mentioned [Liverpool and Juventus] but I don't stress about it. First, I will finish my season well," he added.
"Because Lille are third [in Ligue 1], we are probably less watched [than other teams] but I stay focused on the team.
"I have had contacts from other clubs but I don't think it is the right moment to talk about it. For the moment, I am really focused for Lille to be in the Champions League as it is the club's target.
"It is true that I have an agreement with Lille to go [when the 2011/12 season ends] but I take it easy. At the end of the season, I will see but it is always nice when your name is on the transfer lists of those big teams.
"I really want to concentrate on the end of the [Ligue 1] season. It would be ideal to leave the club where Lille want to be. The future, I will think about it a bit later."
Chedjou also admitted that he finds the prospect of playing for Manchester United and Manchester City attractive, but conceded that it is unlikely he will make a move to either club as they are well-stocked in central defence.
"They are two great clubs but right now, Manchester United already have what they need in central defence with [Nemanja] Vidic, [Jonny] Evans and Rio Ferdinand who are really strong players," he said.
"At Manchester City, they have [Vincent] Kompany and [Joleon] Lescott, who are players I really respect.
"If I could get into one of those two teams, I'll be there to learn. They really are two amazing clubs and I would be really happy if they call me."
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Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.