Dimitri Payet fails to report for training at Saint-Etienne in a bid to secure move to LOSC Lille – Ligue 1 news
French news agencies have reported that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 International Dimitri Payet has not taken part in Saint-Etienne’s pre-season training in a bid to secure a long awaited move away from the club.
The 24-year-old winger has been linked to a move away from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for a long time. Reports in France now indicate that the young winger is getting close to joining reigning Ligue 1 champions LOSC Lille though a deal is yet to materialise.
LOSC Lille have been monitoring Payet’s situation with Les Verts for a long time. Initially, English Premier League side Liverpool FC were keen on signing the youngster. However, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sporting-89-c40576 Director of the Reds, Damien Comolli was not able to lure the player to Anfield.
Though the Frenchman was sporting director of Saint-Etienne before he took the same position at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809, many believe that his criticism of the club’s affairs (Saint-Etienne) were a stumbling block for Payet’s move to Anfield. Furthermore, Liverpool were not prepared to give more than 7 million Euros for the youngster.
Lille on the other hand, are looking to give Saint-Etienne nine million Euros for the services of Payet.
Le 10 Sport claims that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dimitri-Payet-c11276 failed to turn up for training. Though he eventually took part in the later stages of the training, failure to show up on time didn't go down too well with the management, who are now willing to let go of their prized asset in order to maintain discipline at the club.
Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly looking at Payet’s situation at the Stéphanois club and might try to overtake Lille in a bid to win Payet’s signature.
Payet was in great form for Saint-Etienne in the now concluded 2010/2011 Ligue 1 season. The youngster scored 12 goals and had three assists to his name as Les Verts finished tenth in the league standings. However the youngster is now looking to move on to a new challenge in his footballing career so Saint-Etienne might succumb to the player’s wishes.
However, actions such as not showing up for practise are not professional on Payet’s part. As long as a possible move to Lille is not realised, it is the player’s responsibility to take part in training as he is still under contract at the club.
Tags: