Nigerian striker Terem Moffi has been dropped for Lorient's last two games and coach Regis Le Bris has revealed why
Lorient manager Regis Le Bris has revealed that Terem Moffi was dropped from the squad because of the transfer saga surrounding him.
The Nigerian striker is Lorient's top scorer by a distance with 12 goals scored in 18 games so far but he has not been involved in their last two games.
Lorient manager, Le Bris has now confirmed the speculation that Moffi's absence from the matchday squad was due to the recent transfer interest.
Le Bris reveals why Moffi was dropped
Lorient played a difficult home game against Stade Rennais on Friday night and they had to navigate a hard-fought 2-1 win without their talisman Moffi.
Le Bris admitted that his star striker has been distracted by the transfer talks linking him with multiple clubs in January so far which is why he was dropped from the squad.
“In this time of many transfer offers, there would be questions over his focus (for this game),” Le Bris explained according to the Ligue 1 website.
“He needed to evaluate the situation. Tonight, he was not in the mood to give 100 per cent" Le Bris revealed in response to Moffi's absence on Friday night.
The Nigerian had also been dropped from the squad the previous weekend for Lorient's cup game away at Bastia also for the same reasons.
"Terem is coveted. He needs to take stock, and today he wasn’t in a condition to play at 100 per cent,” the French manager concluded.
Moffi has been linked all January with a potential transfer away from the Stade De Mustoir with Southampton, West Ham, Marseille, Lyon and OGC Nice all reportedly interested in his signature.
The Nigerian is said to prefer a move to OGC Nice ahead of his other suitors in the transfer market but the clubs are yet to reach an agreement.