http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitri-Payet-c11276 signs for LOSC Lille – Ligue 1 news
For several weeks, Dimitri Payet was linked with a move away from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Etienne).
France media has now reported that the 24-year-old winger has joined reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille on a four-year deal.
French media had earlier suggested that the youngster was close to joining Paris Saint-Germain and was also garnering a lot of interest from English Premier League outfit http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 FC. However, Payet finally opted to join Lille where he would have the chance
to play in the UEFA Champions League next season.
The transfer has been on the cards for a long time after Lille turned out to be the only club that was willing to meet Saint-Etienne’s valuation of Payet. Les Verts wanted nothing less than 10 million Euros for their prized asset and after a long period
of negotiations between the two clubs, Lille finally agreed to Les Verts’ terms though a transfer fee has not been disclosed.
A statement on Lille’s official website said, “LOSC Lille and AS Saint-Etienne have agreed on the transfer of Dimitri Payet. The French winger has signed a four-year contract with the club and will play with Les Dogues until 2015.
Though the transfer fee has not been disclosed, it has been suggested in French media that Lille must have paid 10 million Euros for the winger.
While talking to the media, Payet expressed his satisfaction at joining the club and said, “The directors and the coach (Rudi Garcia) convinced me and the club’s project had attracted me for a long time. I want to win everything at Lille and I’m honoured
to be part of this great club.”
The arrival of Payet could also mean the departure of Ivory Coast international http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 have been in talks with the player and Lille over the transfer but reports suggest
that Lille were waiting to bring in a replacement before letting go of the tricky winger.
The arrival of Payet can now be expected to pave the way for Gervinho’s move to the English side.
Payet is currently one of the best wingers in Ligue 1 and his arrival at Villeneuve d’Ascq definitely shows that Lille mean business yet again ahead of the 2011/2012 Ligue 1 season after completing a domestic double last season.
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