Manchester United and Inter Milan have shown serious interest in AS Saint-Étienne’s Paul Eymard.
That’s according to But! Football Club, who cover both Manchester United and the Serie A side’s failures to sign the 18-year-old.
He left Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne as a free agent in 2022, to be part of Saint-Étienne’s youth system. Eymard climbed through the ranks and made his way into the first team earlier this season.
Manchester United and Inter Milan made offers
The midfielder has so far played 390 minutes from seven matches, managing two goals and an assist. He was also a regular for France U17 between 2024 and 2025. Eymard’s displays and potential would have caught Manchester United and Inter Milan’s attention.
According to the report, both the Red Devils and the Nerazzurri submitted proposals to secure his services.
However, But! Football Club state the player ‘declined offers’ from these two clubs in order to sign his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne in January.
His decision to snub Manchester United and Inter Milan in favour of staying at the Ligue 2 side was ‘bold but calculated choice’.
Reasons for rejecting top clubs
The outlet have also relayed Eymard’s comments on rejecting big clubs to continue with Saint-Étienne.
“I tell myself that I still have a long way to go and that I have many hurdles to overcome. There have been countless players like this, who were touted as great prospects but didn’t make it, and some of them were surely stronger than me,” he said.
“Just because people are starting to talk about me a lot, because big clubs are showing interest, doesn’t mean I’m going to succeed.”
“I need to prove myself at the professional level and then we’ll see. My entourage, my agent and even the club are supporting me so that I don’t burn out.”
“I decided to sign my first professional contract with ASSE because it’s the club that trained me, so it’s a natural step in my development. I have to start there, with the club I love and support.”
“It’s too early to talk about the big European clubs. I mustn’t rush things. ASSE also presented me with a project where I’ll be working with the professionals on a daily basis, which is a big plus. Overall, the club is ambitious and constantly evolving. And then there are always the supporters and all their enthusiasm.”
