Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere says
Barcelona pulled the plug on their move
for Ivory Coast midfielder Jean-Michel
Seri.
Barca were linked strongly with a move
for Seri during the summer transfer
window and at one stage were reportedly
on the verge of securing his signature.
Speaking to Canal+, Rivere said: “The
two clubs (Nice and Barcelona) had
agreed a price of €40m, but the situation
took a turn at the last moment.
“[Nice’s general director Julien Fourinier
called me and said] ‘Jean-Pierre, I don’t
understand anything. Barcelona just
called me. [Barca president Josep Maria]
Bartomeu, with some embarrassment,
tells me that they don’t want Seri.’
“I don’t understand anything. It was
practically done. I put myself in the
place of Seri and it’s tough. His dream of
going to Barca was close, but in one
night it broke [down].”
