Monday, 2nd December, 2013
Lille president Michel Seydoux insists selling Florian Thauvin to Marseille was the "right decision" albeit a result he did not want.
Lille and Marseille will square off for the first time this season tomorrow in Ligue 1, with memories of Thauvin's much-publicised transfer still fresh in many minds.
Thauvin, who was on the radars at Arsenal and Newcastle United as well, had refused to train with Lille in pre-season and eventually achieved his desired move to Marseille amid much consternation for Lille fans.
The 20-year-old had long held that money was not a motivating factor, and Seydoux today admitted the decision had been taken with Lille, as a whole, in mind.
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"Today, I think I made the right decision, even if Florian is doing well, and good for him," Seydoux told La Voix du Nord.
"Morally, I have already said, it was not the outcome I wanted.
"I do not want to put oil on the fire. But we must know how to turn the page. For [Marseille president] Vincent Labrune and I, it was turned.
"It's a story in the same way that there were others. There was a strong desire for Marseille to take Florian and a strong desire for to Lille to keep him.
"And at some point there was a trade, which I did knowingly and with responsibility for my club."
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