Bournemouth forward Dango Ouattara has hinted he may have had no choice about his move to the club from Lorient in the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old has been speaking to Ouest France after he joined Bournemouth in a €22.5m deal from the French side midway through January as Gary O’Neill’s side spent to bolster their squad that month.
He had been impressing in Ligue 1 up to that point, bagging six goals and six assists in 18 games in the French top flight before his move to the South Coast.
He’s been a regular for Bournemouth since his arrival, with one goal and three assists in 17 games so far as the Cherries have impressed and ensured they’ll be playing Premier League football next season.
He’s made it clear on more than one occasion that Bournemouth will be the priority for him, although he later insisted that Lorient wouldn’t be a feeder club for their Premier League counterparts.
And Ouattara doesn’t believe his move was down to that either, despite hinting he had little say in the matter.
“Sometimes you can’t manage everything, and things don’t go the way you want,” he said.
“We had a very good part of the season, and football decided otherwise. I found myself elsewhere. I was originally going to do a full season with Lorient.
“It didn’t happen as I had imagined. It was a choice that was made between the different parties. I don’t think there is a link with my transfer, because the Bournemouth project suited me from the start.
“As soon as I signed for Bournemouth, I put it in my head that no matter what happens (starter or substitute), I have to stay focused on the team. This allowed me to quickly get used to this championship. And four months after my arrival in England, I am happy with my choice.”
