Cameroon-born Ibrahim Amadou defended over transfer saga

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Feb 08, 2018. 18:00

The agent of Cameroon-born Lille midfielder Ibrahim Amadou has come to the defence of his client over a deadline day transfer saga.

According to Sky Sports, Premier League sides West Ham United and Crystal Palace both sought to sign the 24-year-old and he flew to London last week in an effort to force through a transfer.

However, the transfer deadline passed without Lille sanctioning a move and it has since been reported that Amadou was distraught at missing out on a move to the English top flight.

Now the player’s agent, Sylvain Chavanon, has come out to declare that the portrayal of his client as being devastated with the failed move has caused problems at Lille.

"Following the events that occurred in the last hours of the transfer window, it is necessary to reestablish some truths about the missed transfer of Ibrahim Amadou,” a statement on Chavanon’s Twitter page read.

“British media, which have no contact with Ibrahim, have portrayed a player devastated by this failed transfer.

“Various rumours in this sense were then relayed in France (without prior verification), provoking the anger of Lille supporters against Ibrahim.

“He did not wish to return on these events and preferred to express himself where it really counts, ie on the pitch.”

Amadou was one of several players who rejected a call-up to Cameroon’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations squad. He has represented France at junior international level, but remains eligible for the Indomitable Lions.