Angers president Said Chabane has revealed that he rejected an offer in January which represented nearly 60 per cent of the club's budget for striker Karl Toko-Ekambi, who was linked with Brighton, Burnley, Crystal Palace and West Brom.
Toko-Ekambi was a wanted man in the January transfer window, but Angers' president stood firm, believing selling the striker would be to risk relegation from Ligue 1.
And the striker has repaid his president's faith, scoring 17 goals in Ligue 1 for Angers, who sit now eight points above the drop zone.
But Angers were severely tested in January and now Chabane has revealed just how significant one offer especially was.
"The last offer we refused for him in January was €20m", he told French radio station RMC.
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"We had 18 points when we had this proposal.
"We could not imagine accepting it, even if this offer represented almost 60 per cent of our budget.
"But the stakes were worth it, so we had to keep him", Chabane added.
Premier League sides Brighton, Burnley, Crystal Palace and West Brom were all linked with Toko-Ekambi.
It remains to be seen whether any will rekindle their interest in the striker when the summer transfer window swings open, at which time Angers may be more willing to deal.
Toko-Ekambi has scored three goals in his last four Ligue 1 games, including a strike against Paris Saint-Germain.
