OGC Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has launched a bizarre dig at Newcastle United when discussing the future of star man Youcef Atal.
Algeria international right-back Atal has reportedly attracted the attention of Tottenham Hotspur but Rivere is adamant Atal will not be sold during the January transfer window.
Newcastle signed French star Allan Saint-Maximin from Nice in the summer but Rivere insists if Atal is sold then it will only be to elite European clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich as opposed to a club like Newcastle.
“Atal will not leave this winter. And I will even tell you, it is not anticipated that he will leave next summer. Our aim is to bring in talented youngsters, grow them, improve them,” the Nice President told RMC Sport (via GFFN) .
“And without lacking respect for anyone, it is not to then sell them to Newcastle or clubs like that, no, we keep them with us.
“Aside from that, if one day clubs like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich come, then it will be difficult to keep them. But aim is not to be adopting a policy of trading players around.”
