Bordeaux manager, and ex-Manchester United centre-back, Laurent Blanc has been told there is no chance of him reuniting with his first-choice transfer target and ex-Old Trafford teammate.
Mikael Silvestre, who signed from Inter Milan in 1999, was the number one left-back target for Les Girondins this summer. Early talks were positive, but soon broke down over the Frenchman’s wage demands.
Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud admits the temptation of a lucrative Old Trafford testimonial for the 30-year-old also hindered the switch.
Yes, I think the the possibility of Mikael Silvestre coming here has ended.
There are several targets for the left-back role. In that position, above all there was one who was Blanc’s first choice and that proved to be impossible.
He has a salary at Manchester United that he has no reason to forego. Moreover, after 10 years at that club, there is a tradition that a friendly match is organised for the benefit of the footballer with the revenue going to him.
Silvestre, who hardly played at all last season after damaging his knee ligaments in September 2007, has decided to stay at United and battle it out with the impressive Patrice Evra for the left-back berth. The right choice or should he move on to pastures new?