Wesley Fofana notably delivered a remarkable final of the Coupe de France against PSG Neymar (0-1) on July 24.
-
FRANCK FIFE / AFP
A revelation from ASSE last season, Wesley Fofana, who spent his childhood in a district of Vitrolles, is preparing to challenge OM this Thursday (9 p.m.).
The 19-year-old defender approaches this shock in a particular context, after having
told L'Equipe
about his departure wishes last week.
20 Minutes
tries to find out in what state of mind is the promising player, "determined" to join Leicester before October 5.
“I have had wonderful last months and I had the opportunity to discover the high level with my training club.
I now aspire to continue my ascent and I intend to devote myself 100% to the team.
This statement from Wesley Fofana, when extending his two-year contract at ASSE (until 2024), dates from April 21, in full confinement.
Five months later, the promising 19-year-old defender, whose salary has significantly increased with this extension (it is estimated around 70,000 euros), publicly displayed his desires elsewhere last week in
L'Equipe
.
"I'll be crazy to say no to Leicester," claims the player from a district of Vitrolles, for whom the OM-ASSE match on Thursday (9 pm) will necessarily have a special flavor.
A person close to the file indicates that the 5th Premier League last season would have already made a concrete offer of 28.5 million euros to recruit Wesley Fofana, rejected by ASSE.
“Even though he had 'Chinese chopsticks' legs, it sparked when he tackled,” trainers @SCAirBel recall of @ASSEofficiel Wesley Fofana's revelation before #PSGASSE, via @ 20Minutes #TeamASSE https: / /t.co/l6riNw90z0
- Jérémy Laugier (@JeremyLaugier) January 8, 2020
"Wesley is too young to handle a first transfer"
"A footballing career does not take much and I understand that this offer can pack it, said David Diaz, his coach in U13 at Air Bel, a renowned training club in Marseille.
You can't blame the kid for having ambition, even if his interview may have been awkward.
Wesley is too young to handle the backstage of a first transfer.
He needs to take a step back and let his advisers handle this.
"
The Stéphanois manager Claude Puel very often recalls that "Wesley must become a centerpiece of the team" and he intends to delay at least one season the dreams of England of his protégé.
He was also keen to make him play the entire Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg (2-0) on Saturday, the day after the publication of the interview.
🎙 @ l00ping: “We all read what happened with Wesley Fofana.
It's up to him to manage that with the club.
Obviously, we discussed it with him.
The only thing I told him before #Strasbourg was: “Now you are the holder, you are proving on the pitch.
"#OMASS
- Le Progrès - ASSE (@leprogres_asse) September 15, 2020
His mother and sister were allegedly victims of "insults"
"I felt him unfazed by his football on Saturday," said Anthony Loupy, his U15 coach at Air Bel.
Can Wesley Fofana really remain so until the end of the transfer window (October 5), when his mother and his little sister have been "insulted by Stéphanois" as explained by the player in
L'Equipe
?
The group of Green Angels supporters also went to the L'Etrat training center on Saturday to hang a banner intended for them: “Your six years at Sainté have not taught you humility.
Honoring our coat of arms is much more than a profession ”.
"Honoring our coat of arms is much more than a profession" 💬 #ASSE https://t.co/DgT0XA2hoF
- Envertetcontretous (@Site_Evect) September 12, 2020
"A year ago, we imagined more of a Championship club for him"
Anthony Loupy is trying to defend his former player, who has only had 28 professional matches since May 2019, including a stunning Coupe de France final against PSG (0-1) when football resumed in France on July 24.
In April, Wesley was very proud to extend to Saint-Etienne.
I remember it was always his dream to play in England one day.
A year ago, we imagined more of a Championship club for him, and there the 5th in the Premier League really wants it and he has the means to win.
He is a nice boy, sometimes awkward and naive, who was guided by his ambition.
He knows where he's coming from and he'll play every game with 100% ASSE as long as he's there.
"
I'm back!
#For Them 🤪 pic.twitter.com/Es82ElkR7o
- LaWestt_ (@Wesley_Fofanaa) September 16, 2020
Starting with this late meeting at the Vélodrome, this Thursday.
"I took places so it had better be there," smiles David Diaz.
I sincerely do not think he will start a showdown with ASSE.
"A position shared today by those close to the player:" Wesley remains determined to leave but he will not go to the clash and he will behave professionally, including until October 5 ".
Fired a year and a half ago by… Leicester, Claude Puel is eager to see this special transfer window end.
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