Frederic Guilbert has admitted he turned down a move to Fulham before leaving Aston Villa and the Premier League for a loan spell in France, speaking to Alsa Sports.
While no-one could question Guilbert’s attitude – attack-minded and aggressive he appeared to have the makings of a Villa cult hero – the 26-year-old couldn’t match Matty Cash as far as raw ability was concerned.
And, after losing his place to the soon-to-be Poland international Cash in Dean Smith’s pecking order, Guilbert had little interest in sticking around and wasting away on the sidelines.
The former France U21 international returned to Strasbourg for a second spell at the Alsace club on transfer deadline day – but only after Fulham came knocking.
Why did Aston Villa ace Frederic Guilbert turn down Fulham?
“(The transfer window) was long – very long! I had (offers from) Lille and Fulham as well,” explains Guilbert, who set Aston Villa back about £5 million when he joined from Caen two years ago.
“Just before signing in Alsace, Fulham presented an offer that was difficult to refuse.
“I made the choice to accept Strasbourg (but), on my way to Strasbourg, Fulham gave me a new offer, even bigger.
“But, in my head, I was already at Strasbourg and I decided to maintain this course.”
Sitting second in the Championship and four points clear of third-place West Brom, a Fulham side inspired by the relentless goalscoring of Aleksandar Mitrovic look well placed to secure a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Not that Guilbert will wish he could turn the clock back.
The rampaging right-back is one of the first names on the team sheet these days for a Strasbourg side flying high in Ligue 1 and in touching distance of the Champions League places.
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