After Turning Down Chelsea and Liverpool Midfielder Benjamin Corgnet Still Waiting for Summer Move

Saturday, 25th August, 2012

Despite rejecting Chelsea and Liverpool earlier this summer, with his heart set on signing for Lyon, highly-rated French midfielder Benjamin Corgnet is still at Dijon, having not yet moved.

At the time Corgnet confirmed he had turned down approaches from Chelsea and Liverpool, he explained it was because of the feeling that he would be throwing himself "in at the deep end". It was a big call to make and appeared to be driven by a belief that he would imminently sign for Les Gones.

But Lyon’s financial situation means a certain amount of wheeler-dealing is needed before Corgnet can be bought and, with the transfer window clock ticking down, the 25-year-old could find himself elsewhere or even still at Dijon.

For Corgnet, remaining at Les Rouges would mean playing in Ligue 2, as the team were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, despite the midfielder’s superb efforts.

The situation then is unclear.

"We must first wait for clubs to make sales. Currently there is not much going on – that’s why I have to wait", said Corgnet, who has been injured recently, explaining the lack of movement on his own future.

"I met Remi Garde [Lyon coach, ed.] before my recovery. He told me he was interested, but he needs players to leave."

And so, despite talk of Saint-Etienne of late, Corgnet is playing the waiting game.

"I’ve had no particular contact with Saint-Etienne. But several clubs are interested, although it is all dependent on sales.

"So right now it is useless to talk."

Dijon may hope that Corgnet stays at the club as their chances of promotion from Ligue 2 would be much boosted by his presence.

The midfielder has already scored two goals in three Ligue 2 games this season.