While things might have quietened down in Belgium around “Footballgate”, Mogi Bayat, a very prominent agent, remains incarcerated on account of playing a part in money laundering and match fixing.
We’ve already relayed many claims involving completed Watford transfers, and now we’ve got one where the agent stopped a youngster from going to Arsenal.
The youngster in question is Nabil Jaadi, who, currently without a club because of Bayat’s involvement, explained to DH in Belgium what happened in January 2014 when the Gunners, managed by Arsène Wenger at the time, expressed their interest.
Seventeen at the time, the attacking midfielder’s contract with Anderlecht was set to expire in the summer and he had to choose to either renew his deal with the Belgian side or try something new abroad.
He elaborated: “At Anderlecht, they told me that if I wanted to negotiate with them, I had to take Mogi as my agent. I was young and I accepted straight away, especially as he had a good reputation. Anderlecht were offering me a five-year deal. I had a few days left in the window and I met Mogi.
“There were four offers: Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter and Milan. He told me to choose my club and he’d sort it all. I chose Arsenal as they are a club that always made me dream and played youngsters. I really thought I would sign there. The days passed and nothing was happening, until the last day when Mogi called and told me we were going to Italy and signing for Udinese.”
Told the Serie A club would pay more than the Gunners, Jaadi accepted, which is when his Italian nightmare began, sent to the reserves before being loaned out five clubs in four years.
Eventually deciding enough was enough, and ditching Mogi Bayat for Mino Raiola, the 22-year-old decided to cancel his contract with Udinese in August, and he’s now searching for a new club.
Looking back at everything, if he could do it all over again: “I’d extend my contract at Anderlecht.”
