PSV Eindhoven defender Olivier Boscagli has admitted that he was left frustrated by the club’s refusal to sell him to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer.
The defender has been speaking to de Volkskrant about the situation and why he felt the Dutch club’s actions did not follow their words when it came to the bid from Brighton.
The Seagulls appeared determined to secure Boscagli’s signature this summer after a busy few months of spending to completely revamp their squad.
They pushed all the way until deadline day but could not get a deal done, with the Dutch side continuing to resist any efforts for the player despite him being in the last year of his contract.
This frustrated Boscagli, with several reports in the Netherlands making it clear that he had told his club he wanted to make the move to the Premier League. It was even made clear he would not be signing a new deal, perhaps in an attempt to convince PSV to take the money while they could.
They didn’t, though, and ultimately, he remained at PSV, where he will stay until January at the earliest, at which point he’ll be free to negotiate with clubs regarding a free transfer next summer.
That is something he is willing to explore, having admitted his annoyance at not being allowed to join Brighton.
“It was a difficult period,” he said.
“I told PSV that I would like to look further, but that I would extend my contract if there was no club I wanted to go to. I wanted the club to earn something from me, because it has always been very good to me.
“I feel that the club’s actions did not correspond to the conversation I had previously had with them. That was difficult, but that is also football.
“In the first match after the transfer fell through, I didn’t play well. I noticed that my thoughts were not yet one hundred percent there. But then I turned the switch and said to myself: There is no point in making a fuss or being angry. That puts both the club and you at a disadvantage.’
“I want to become champion again with PSV and perform well in the Champions League. In addition, I want to use this season to show myself and make sure I am the best. Now that I will be transfer-free next summer, I am interesting for more clubs.”
