Transfers, Lemoine: Upset in Évian

Évian Thonon Gaillard, who were expected to register the loan of Fabien Lemoine last Monday, have finally seen the midfielder escape them to sign for Saint-Étienne.

An outcome which was « badly experienced » by Patrick Trotignon, the president from the Savoie club, questioned yesterday on RMC. “He was one of us, the president explained. He had undergone the medical, and we were waiting for him to sign his contract”. However, Lemoine decided to head to Forez at the last minute, justifying his decision with a “more interesting sportive project” at “Les Verts”.

«As far as we are concerned, it was a done deal, Trotignon regreted. A word is a word, but we will recover, it isn’t the end of the world. It is a disappointment at the moment. But I was quite furious for a few hours”. A situation which is reminiscent, actually, of the last minute let-down made by Lorient’s Jérémy Morel to Stade Rennais, who preferred to sign for Marseille at the last minute. “What is annoying is that it hurts the image of football, it doesn’t look too serious”. Trotignon judges.

Finally, the Evian president sees a positive side to this affair. “Maybe it’s good this way, he admits. Because we are one of this clubs who privilege the state of mind amongst the players. This is one of the reasons for our success over the last few years. And maybe it’s good Lemoine didn’t come to our club”.
Questioned by L’Équipe on Wednesday evening, the man from Fougeres had explained he « understands » that the Evian management could be “annoyed” at him, and affirmed he is “sorry” for changing his mind at the last minute.