Moussa Sow has revealed he did not want to leave French champions Lille to join Fenerbahce.
The Senegal international has signed for the Turkish giants on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a fee believed to be around 10 million euros.
The African marksman’s move came as a surprise and the 26-year-old said he was reluctant to leave Lille.
“It was not me (who initiated the transfer), it was the club,” he told L’Equipe.
“There had already been contact with Fenerbahce last summer, but I wanted to continue with Lille. Before the agreement, in my head, I could not see myself leaving.”
“I was surprised and disappointed. I know football is like that, but I was not expecting it. Many people do not understand and I think the fans are wondering why I have gone, knowing that the club has ambitions and I could still help them.”
“I want them to know that I did not want to leave. It’s true that I could have stayed, though. But it would not be good, knowing that the club had not cared about me. I got this in my heart and head.”
Sow’s expiring contract with Rudi Garcia’s side may well have been the reason for the sale and the forward is hurt by accusations he is motivated by money.
“When you read that I am supposedly greedy, it hurts,” he said.
Sow spent 18 months at the Stade Lille-Metropole, having joined from Rennes in June 2010.
