Pape Gueye’s entourage has revealed Arsenal have contacted them about signing the midfielder.
The 21-year-old’s contract with Le Harve expires on June 30th and Watford have agreed a deal to take him on a free transfer. He has already signed a five-year contract with the Hornets.
According to Le Phocéen, the player was ‘cheated’ by his former agent, who made him sign a document in English and didn’t translate the context to him. Therefore, he wants to leave Nigel Pearson’s side before getting there.
On June 18th, reports coming out of France suggested Marseille are trying to negotiate directly with Watford for his signing.
The Gunners’ interest in Gueye was mentioned by his camp and a detailed explanation has been provided over why he doesn’t want to join the north London side or any other club outside his country.
“Marseille are one of the clubs most interested in Pope, It’s clear. There are also Metz, Strasbourg, Angers, Nantes, German, Portuguese and Spanish clubs,” his entourage is quoted as saying.
“Arsenal also contacted us with a salary three times higher. But Pape wants to play in Ligue 1 for two or three years before going abroad, and Marseille are clearly in the shortlist. It would be a great club for him.”
Gueye’s entourage also stressed he won’t travel to Vicarage Road and his desire is to find another club this summer.
“Pape will not go to Watford. The contract was signed in January, but it has not yet taken effect and no one can force it,” the entourage stressed.
“After that, Watford can ask for severance payments, but they cannot force Pape to play for them. This clause was fixed by the club at €5m, but it is far from the reality of today since the value of the players dropped by half with the health crisis.
“The value of Pape was evaluated between €2-3m and today Transfermarkt value him at €1.6m. The club that wants to sign him must therefore negotiate to drop his clause with Watford.”
