‘He p*ssed me off’ – Montpellier president lays into Burnley’s Maxime Estève
Montpellier HSC president has reacted angrily to the departure of Maxime Estève (21), who left the club to join relegation strugglers Burnley in the Premier League in January.
Burnely signed Estève, who came through the academy at Montpellier on transfer deadline day in February. The France youth international has joined on an initial loan deal, which will become permanent for a €12m fee. Whilst it was a financially important deal for MHSC, the club’s president Laurent Nicollin has questioned Estève’s loyalty to his formative club, given his choice to leave amidst a relegation struggle.
“For me, he wasn’t going to leave. The English wanted a player without paying anything or by paying in the month of August. Maxime p*ssed me off. We ended up letting him go away. It’s a kid who was trained at the club, who pretends to love it and who wants to leave for a few more euros. I’m not going to war with him. I was disappointed,” Nicollin told Midi Libre.
Montpellier are currently 14th in Ligue 1 and just one point ahead of FC Nantes, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot. Estève has played seven games for Burnley since completing his move in the winter. Vincent Komapny’s side currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are five points away from safety.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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