The Moroccan international decided to stay with Angers.
Romain Saiss
Angers holding midfielder Romain Saiss has revealed he has rejected a chance to discuss a transfer with Aston Villa in the winter – but decided against the move.
He told Ouest-France that he decided a move to Villa was not for him, seemingly suggesting the project was not an improvement on his current situation at Angers:
“I would have been able to join Aston Villa in the break but they that was not very sportsmanlike.
Former Aston Villa manager Remi Garde arrives at the stadium
“I wanted to finish this first season in Ligue 1 in Angers. Things are clear between (Angers sporting director) Olivier (Pickeau) and I, we say things and there will be no low blows.
“I will not leave if the project set allows me to grow and develop myself.”
Saiss, who was linked with Barcelona by Sport in January, was pivotal in an impressive season for Angers in Ligue 1 last term.
Aston Villa’s team mates look dejected
He helped guide the newly promoted side to an impressive ninth place finish in Ligue 1 last term and the Moroccan international had therefore caught the eye of Villa.
But considering Villa looked destined to play in the second tier, it seems that Saiss decided better options may crop up.
Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor (L) celebrates scoring their second goal with Idrissa Gueye and Jordan Veretout
Buying players from French football has been a regular occurrence from Villa in recent times, with varying degrees of success, so Saiss may not have been an immediately popular transfer if Villa had gone through with a deal.
Villa are now moving on other targets, with Saiss clearly not keen on a move, and fans will be hoping that the club can strengthen sufficiently for a tough Championship campaign.
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