Max Gradel hits out at former club Saint-Etienne

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday Oct 31, 2017. 15:00

Bournemouth’s Ivorian attacker Max Gradel has hit out at his former club Saint-Etienne for not signing him on loan this season.

The Elephants player is currently on loan at Toulouse but had hoped to link up with his former team ASSE. He even revealed that he had talks with the Ligue 1 club.

"I could have come back to Saint-Etienne this season but someone from the recruiting team said I was cooked," explained Gradel. "And so it did not happen."

In regards to leaving the Cherries to find more first-team football, Gradel admitted that he is thinking about the prospect of playing at the 2018 World Cup.

"I know Ligue 1 and the decision to come back here was not difficult, but there is no problem with Bournemouth," he said.

"My personal desire is really to play regularly this season considering the qualifications for the World Cup. My decision is based solely on sports criteria."