Auxerre blocks Lassine Sinayoko’s move to RC Lens | OneFootball

Auxerre puts the Sinayoko transfer on hold despite a verbal agreement with RCL.

Lassine Sinayoko / AJ Auxerre

Lassine Sinayoko’s transfer to RC Lens has hit a major obstacle. The Auxerre striker was unable to travel to Artois on Sunday, August 24, for his medical, after being held back by club management. It’s a dramatic twist in a transfer saga that seemed all but settled.

The Lassine Sinayoko drama has taken yet another spectacular turn. Just as everything appeared set for his move to RC Lens, the 25-year-old Malian forward remains at Auxerre. The Icaunais management refused to authorize the player’s trip on Sunday, blocking the final steps of the transfer.

Negotiations between the two clubs had apparently resulted in a verbal agreement. RC Lens and AJ Auxerre had settled on a transfer fee of €6.5 million, plus €1.5 million in bonuses. Lens sporting director Jean-Louis Leca even traveled to Burgundy to convince the player and lay the foundations of the contract.

Auxerre disputes the deal’s completion

Three conditions were set for the deal to go through: the transfer amount, Sinayoko’s ability to play one last match against Nice on Saturday, and a commitment from Auxerre’s management to sign the paperwork before the weekend. It’s on this last point that the two clubs’ versions diverge.

Auxerre’s management denies the existence of any definitive agreement. The Burgundy club claims several details still needed to be resolved, particularly with the player’s entourage. This position is in stark contrast to RC Lens, who believe all written commitments had been honored. Pierre Sage didn’t hide his frustration after his team’s win over Le Havre.