Transfers: Montpellier awaiting the first movements

Tamari sera-t-il encore Montpelliérain la saison prochaine. La question se pose. JEAN MICHEL MART

État des lieux du club héraultais à l’aube de l’ouverture du marché des transferts pour l’heure bloqué faute d’accord sur les droits télés.

Nothing promises to move forward quickly in a transfer market which opened on Monday (June 10 – August 30). Everything is frozen under the effect of the TV rights contract. Ten weeks before the resumption of Ligue 1, the LFP still does not have a broadcaster for the next five seasons (2024-2029). And, Montpellier, which has targeted its recruitment for a long time, is waiting and watching for possible offers for midfielder Joris Chotard, pre-selected for the next Olympics, Mousa Tamari, Arnaud Nordin or even Khalil Fayad.

According to the Team, the former French U20 international, who has just opted for Moroccan nationality, would be in the sights of Monaco and the German club of the ;Eintracht Frankfurt. Fayad, bound until 2027, "does not have an exit voucher unless you have an offer that cannot be refused", observes Laurent Nicollin.

Joris Chotard is "well in Montpellier"

Defensive midfielder Joris Chotard (22 years old), approached last summer and this winter, "does not particularly want to leave. If he has an opportunity, we will discuss, otherwise he is good in Montpellier", believes the Montpellier president.

The Jordanian international striker (27 years old), who arrived last year, feels good in Montpellier, who will not obstruct an offer from a major European club. If Arnaud Nordin (25 years old), who did not extend this winter, arouses interest, he will not leave below the severance pay set by the Hérault club.

Goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud (24 years old) aspires to a starting position. Will the former Espoir international complete his contract until June 2025 or will he agree to review his conditions in the event of an offer?

The Delort file still at a standstill

Montpellier will not oppose the loan of attacking midfielder Sacha Delaye (22 years old). Helmed by Téji Savanier and under contract for one season, the son of the sports coordinator "deserves to be given a chance".

Furthermore, Montpellier wants an offensive reinforcement to compete with the Nigerian Akor Adams, author of eight goals. Sète center forward Andy Delort (32), Laurent Nicollin and sports director Bruno Carotti met in mid-April to clarify the contractual conditions of the former Montpellier player ( 2018-21), still linked with the Qatari club Umm Salal despite his departure this winter.

Since this meeting, Delort has been talking near Montpellier, where he hopes to return. Especially since he is always appreciated by the executives of the workforce, in particular his friend Téji Savanier. His return is at least conditional on the departure of Wahbi Khazri, the performance considered insufficient and the substantial salary. "As Wahbi is still there, I am not mentioning any case of an attacker. For the moment, I am not ready to put 2 million euros (transfer amount), nor to put in a salary XXL. Things are clear between Andy and me", says the Montpellier president.

The Ruthenian striker Killian Corredor (23 years old), under contract until 2026, does not correspond to the profile currently sought by Montpellier. Neither the Aveyron center forward, author of an excellent season (12 goals, 7 assists) in Ligue 2, nor the Lorient player Pablo Pagis (21 years old, free), nor Moussa Sylla (24 years old, free) or the Rennais loaned to Nantes Mathis Abline (21 years old) are not preferred targets. But, summer is only just beginning.