The French media are truly astonished by Sunderland’s signing of Didier Ndong from Lorient. There’s been differing figures claimed for what has been paid by the English club, but on transfer deadline day, France’s RMC put the figure at €20m.
They said that when Sunderland offered that amount, the leaders at Lorient ‘almost fainted’ at the size of the potential deal, because they’d never expected someone to offer anything like that for the player.
On Friday, it’s the turn of French newspaper L’Equipe to express their astonishment at the deal. They also claim the transfer is worth €20m (including bonuses), and point out the 21 year old only cost €1m in January 2015.
L’Equipe quote the player as saying on July 31st: “I still need much improvement here and to make a good season. I think Lorient still needs me and I still need the club.”
L’Equipe title the piece: ‘Ndong, the moment of madness’.
They go on to say the ‘madness of the English offer’ doesn’t reflect the reality of Ndong’s recent performances. It’s now up to him to prove the French media wrong.
