Montpellier’s uncontactable president caused Joris Chotard’s move to break down | OneFootball

Joris Chotard (23) once again defied expectations and remained at Montpellier HSC in the winter transfer window. It came after a summer window during which he was also expected to depart amid significant interest from Wolfsburg. L’Équipe have now revealed why the France youth international remained with La Paillade with President Laurent Nicollin playing a significant role.

Stade de Reims had shown interest in Chotard throughout the transfer window. That interest became concrete the day before the closure of the window as they submitted an opening off of €3.5m plus €2m in bonuses. It was an offer that sat just below MHSC’s valuation, which was between €6-7m.

It was an opening offer and one that was expected to be improved upon. However, on deadline day, Nicollin turned off his phone, therefore refusing to negotiate with Reims. Montpellier’s sporting director Bruno Carotti continued negotiations with his counterparts at Reims, however, as he couldn’t contact Nicollin either, he could not give the green light to the move.

Nicollin, who was on holiday in Megève in the French Alps, therefore played a pivotal role in Chotard’s move to Reims breaking down.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle