- 16 Dec 2024
Door open for Laborde to leave Montpellier for West Ham, says agent
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
- 2 min read
Montpellier have suggested that striker Gaetan Laborde could leave in January, with West Ham among the clubs interested in him.
Although sixth in Ligue 1, Montpellier are just two points off the pace of leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Only the Parisians have scored more league goals than them, but finances may dictate they are forced to sell in the winter.
Laborde, who stands on three goals and five assists this season, could be allowed to depart against the will of the club.
West Ham, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Zenit St Petersburg have all been linked with the 26-year-old.
“We were always clear with Montpellier when Laborde extended his contract until 2023 last season,” agent Christophe Hutteau told L’Equipe. “If there’s a concrete offer that satisfies player and club, we’ll talk.
“Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin’s deep wish is not to sell Laborde now, but the current situation is unique. He knows how to manage his club and if there is a good offer, he’ll pay attention.”
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Nicollin has indicated that sales are liable to take place.
“I’ve see 15 years of equity which will fly away before the end of the season to erase the club’s debt,” he told Journal du Dimanche last month. “Each game behind closed doors is a loss of €500,000 (£400,000). In addition, we were unable to make sales in the transfer window when we bring in €10-20m (£8.8-£17.6m) each summer.”
West Ham reportedly tabled a bid of £10.5m for the striker in the summer. It is reported that a similar figure could be sufficient to tempt Montpellier into selling in January.
Should he depart for the Premier League, Laborde would follow in the footsteps of Olivier Giroud, who has enjoyed a distinguished career in England after turning out for Montpellier.
