Aston Villa and West Ham United were reportedly competing to sign Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi.
Harold Moukoudi has agreed a four-year deal with St Etienne, according to Le Parisien, bringing an end to speculation linking him with a move to Aston Villa and West Ham United.
Villa and West Ham have both been linked with the highly-rated French defender since last summer, knowing full well that his contract with Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre was coming to an end.
France Football claimed earlier this year that the Hammers were still harbouring hope of luring Moukoudi to the Premier League at the end of the 2018/19 season, while Aston Villa were also allegedly keen to reinforce a flimsy back line with one of Europe’s most promising centre-halves.
Interestingly, Moukoudi told France Bleu in 2018 that he turned down a move to Villa because he didn’t feel he would fit into Steve Bruce’s direct approach. But the more free-flowing, possession-based style introduced by Dean Smith looked like a perfect fit for the ball-playing Frenchman.
But Moukoudi won’t be making the move across the Channel any time soon.
Le Parisien reports that the 21-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 outfit St Etienne, meaning he will be playing his football at the Stade Geoffrey Guichard next season.
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