Lille have explained the summer departure of defender Thomas Meunier.
Contract Demands Ended French Stay
The Belgian international swapped Ligue 1 for the Stadium of Light on a free transfer. Meunier previously described the move as “more the president’s decision than mine” after joining the Black Cats.
Olivier Letang has now detailed the rigid boundaries that blocked a new agreement. The Lille president claims the veteran full-back requested four times their top salary.
Speaking to French outlet RTL, as relayed by Chronicle Live, Letang outlined his strict wage structure.
“He said I was the one who decided he shouldn’t stay. But if you ask me for four times the club’s highest salary…” Letang said.
The executive refused to shatter his financial framework to retain the defender.
“What do you think I’m going to say? I’m going to say, ‘no, that’s not possible.’ I’d like to, but I can’t.’ Because I’ve set a framework for myself, and I don’t want to deviate from it,” Letang added.
Swift Moves Secure Defensive Veteran
Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi moved quickly to capitalise on the standoff. The Black Cats pitched a compelling Premier League project to the 34-year-old.
Meunier detailed his arrival process when speaking to 4AllFootball.
“I took two days to think and on the third day I was in Sunderland for the medical tests,” Meunier said.
Sunderland pause their league duties to host Hull City in the Carabao Cup tonight.
