Arriving from Sochaux in Ligue 2 in July 2016, Karl Toko Ekambi took little time to adjust to top-tier football and has already been described this season as ‘one of the more complete forwards in Ligue 1”.
In fact, he could have been ‘one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League’ instead, were it not for his decision to reject the opportunity to join Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, who had offered €10m for his services.
Interviewed by L’Equipe on Saturday ahead of his side’s game against Paris Saint-Germain, which they lost 5-0, Ekambi explained why he chose to pass up the chance to move to play under Chris Hughton at AMEX Stadium.
He said: “I didn’t hesitate. Angers gave me the chance to play in Ligue 1. I had a talk with them and I 300% stayed here”.
Seemingly wanting to develop more before making the jump to somewhere bigger, the 25-year-old is someone capable of ‘scoring 10 goals and picking up 10 assists every season’, according to his director of football, Olivier Pickeu.
Currently on five goals and three assists in 11 appearances, Ekambi is already well on his way to show Brighton what they missed out on, as the Seagulls rely on a 34-year-old Glenn Murray to score their goals.
Given the green light to leave in June, according to L’Equipe, the Angers star is more than likely to get his big move if his form continues, but will it be to AMEX Stadium?
That remains to be seen.
