St Étienne winger and former Leeds star Max Gradel has confirmed his desire to return to England at the end of the season. St Etienne manager Christophe Galtier recently confirmed that the player had asked to leave, suggesting to French television that a move to England seemed likely.
Speaking to L’Équipe today, the Ivorian international confirmed that England is where his heart is set.
“I want to play in big competitions and push further. I will sit down at the table with St Étienne representatives to discuss and see if they harbour even greater ambitions for next season. Then I will take my decision. England welcome me, adopted me, made me feel confident and allowed me to realise my dream of becoming a professional footballer. This country is my heart’s desire. That is no secret.”
In January last year a loan deal was agreed with St Étienne for Gradel with all the necessary paperwork drawn up. It is claimed the player traveled to London ready to sign the deal but the deal collapsed at the last minute when West Ham tried to change the terms. Gradel later told the French media “I went to London thinking I was about to be loaned. However, when I got there, West Ham told me they wanted me to sign a four year deal. As the club looked like they could be relegated, I preferred not to take any risks.”
A number of media outlets have linked the player to move to West Ham or Bournemouth.
3 times we have tried I was not that impressed when he played for Leeds another
Jarvis lots of speed but not much else,
Is he free because if not there will be better out there that are plus if BFS wanted him I am not sure I would want him
Ffs,why keep on mentioning the same names.Move on,just lazy journalists at their best 😉
I hear it was Sam who changed the terms of the deal last time after he traveled to London. Whether he is really on our radar again or whether this is recycling of old news time will tell
Last summer West Ham was interested in buying Konopljanka, n°10 of Dnipro… he’s really a good player, I would try again… 😉
Konoplijanka looks a great player on TV He can play wide or tip of the diamond and give Downing competition
Konoplyanka is a good player but he is a free agent now.I think bigger clubs than us will be interested in him.No transfer fee they can offer him top wages.I expect one of the bigger boys will snap him up before we get a sniff 😉
yes and I expect a similar problem with the best managers.
I love we have written his name in three different ways… lol :-))
ha ha ha I thought I was copying the correct version but probably got that wrong too.
Rads version is correct
My version is only correct because i copied & pasted it from Google.I didnt have a clue how to spell it properly 😀
Why did hippo change the terms of the deal,did Gradel refuse to signup with Curtis 😀
This story has been going so long Max is in his forties now
Agree about the Dnipro player but kept quite because I could never get near his name,
But we should have gone after him 2 months ago made him an offer he could not turn down and got him to sign a precontract,
Gradel is a good championship player at best