Premier League-linked Terem Moffi was left out by FC Lorient this weekend with head coach Regis Le Bris admitting that the West Ham and Southampton target has been distracted by those transfer rumours, speaking via Score Nigeria.
During the fourth round of the FA Cup, Moises Caicedo was conspicuous by his absence as Brighton beat Liverpool (again), while Sander Berge was nowhere to be seen as Sheffield United tore up a Hollywood script to rain on Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham parade.
On the other side of the channel, Lorient found themselves in a similar situation with star striker Moffi; leaving the Nigeria international at home as Rennes travelled to the Stade de la Moustoir on Friday night.
“In this time of many transfer offers, there would be questions over his focus (for this game),” Le Bris explains. “He needed (time off) to evaluate the situation. Tonight, he was not in the mood to give 100 per cent.
“Terem’s very coveted,” Le Bris adds (Ligue 1 website). “He needs to take stock, and today he wasn’t in a condition to play at 100 per cent.”
West Ham United and Southampton like FC Lorient striker Terem Moffi
Only one player (yes, you guessed it) has scored more goals than Moffi in France’s top flight this term. The one-time Rangers target is trailing Golden Boot-favourite Kylian Mbappe by a solitary strike as things stand; 12 in 17 starts to his name.
Per talkSPORT, underachieving West Ham had a £20 million bid rejected by Lorient earlier this month. The Ligue 1 high-flyers want closer to £30 million; a fee that could rule out a Southampton side also in the market for a prolific number nine.
Moffi seems to have his heart set on a move to an ambitious Nice side bankrolled by British billionaire and potential new Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Southampton already appear to have out on Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson this month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
