A time recorded by Andoni Zubizarreta in the summer of 2020, Mbaye Niang now plays for Girondins de Bordeaux. In an interview with Sud-Ouest, the Senegalese forward did not hide his regret at not being able to join OM.
He was one of the attackers followed by Andoni Zubizarreta during the summer transfer window in 2020. Mbaye Niang had not finally joined Olympique de Marseille to continue his adventure on the Stade Rennais side.
Today the scorer for Girondins de Bordeaux, the Senegalese striker was marked by his aborted transfer to OM. In an interview with Sud-Ouest, Mbaye Niang made no secret that he would have liked to evolve within the Marseille club.
“I had an argument with Zubizarreta”
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“This episode broke something. I did not hide. The least he could do was tell the truth, not slip away, so that the club had time to turn around. Some people told me that Rennes played in the Champions League, but I wasn’t leaving because Rennes sucked. I always wanted to play in Marseille, I have always said so. I felt that this was the moment for me. I had a discussion with Zubizarreta, the sports director. When it didn’t happen, for reasons X or Y, I felt that people in Rennes no longer looked at me the same way. It didn’t bother me at first, I played again, but in January I felt like it was the end. I no longer had the flame. ” Mbaye niang – Source: South West (10/19/2021)
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Mbaye Niang on his aborted transfer to OM: “This episode broke something …” #Bordeaux @He refused https://t.co/as5aB1fWjp
– Senego.com (@senego) December 20, 2021
“I don’t know why Niang’s name came up”
While he was the coach of Olympique de Marseille at the time, André Villas-Boas had swept away the rumor that led to Mbaye Niang. The Portuguese coach had admitted not being interested in his profile.
“I don’t know why Niang’s name came up. His agent contacted us in February because Andoni had a good relationship with him. There was interest in a transfer at the end of the year. His profile is interesting, but on the one hand we have no money and on the other hand, we did not put his name on the list of players to buy. It grew in importance and I don’t know why, until the player got in touch with some players on the squad. I let the player’s entourage know that we are not with him, that we have not made an offer. We have neither the means nor the interest to make it happen. I wish him well. It is not because he does not have the quality, but because we do not have the skills and we are looking for another profile. ” André Villas-Boas – Source: La Provence (07/22/2020)
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