Mandanda fancies move abroad

Posted Saturday, May 28, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Mandanda fancies move abroad
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has not ruled out the possibility of staying at the club for a ninth season, but admits a move abroad is a tempting prospect.

The France international kept nine clean sheets in a tumultuous season for L'OM, who finished just nine points above the relegation zone in 13th place and saw two managers depart.

Despite the team's struggles, Mandanda was named Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year for a second successive campaign, although his comments directly after losing the Coupe de France final to Paris Saint-Germain alerted clubs to his availability.

The 31-year-old had suggested that the Stade de France showpiece might have been his last appearance for Les Phoceens, and has subsequently been linked with Everton and Villarreal.

Mandanda is intrigued by the prospect of playing in either England or Spain, but acknowledged he could well continue his career at Stade Velodrome.

"Abroad would be something good at 31," he told RMC. "It would be a nice adventure on both a sporting and a personal level… the two leagues that interest me the most are the Premier League and La Liga.

"You don't know what the future will be made of because we all know in the transfer window it's quite complicated. And I play in a particular position.

"I could easily find myself still playing at OM next season – I don't know. It's clear that Marseille is my family. It's where I grew up, where I learned, where I discovered everything."