Enyeama may be on the way out of Lille after Bielsa sends text saying he is surplus to requirements

FORMER Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is thought to be on his way out of French Ligue One side Lille after the club notified 11 of its players that their services will not be required over the forthcoming season.

 

Enyeama, 34, who joined Lille in June 2011 and has made 164 appearances for the club, is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. However, new Lille coach Argentine Marcelo Bielsa appears to want to rebuild his squad and as such is looking at a clear-out over the summer.

 

Bielsa is said to have sent messages to Enyeama and several other players including Zambia’s Stoppila Sunzu, Tunisia’s Naim Sliti and Ivory Coast’s Junior Tallo saying they are not part of his plans. Enyeama, who played 101 times for the Super Eagles, only signed a new deal last season and could choose to ignore the message and stay at the club.

 

Tallo said: “As for me, I’m under contract and I will respect the two years I have left. I’m in no hurry, I want to establish myself at Lille and it’s the club that wants me to leave but we’ll see if they find a solution between now and the end of the transfer window.

 

"I'm calm, it’s a bit bizarre but I’m handling it OK. I was informed like the others by text but we’re under contract, the club does what it wants. We would have liked to have had a discussion but it’s a business choice made by the bosses."

 

Already, Lille has made some summer signings including Burkina Faso international goalkeeper Herve Koffi following Lille’s disappointing 11th place finish in Ligue One last season. However, several players including former captain Rio Mavuba, Eder, Julian Palmieri, Marko Basa, Éric Bauthéac, Lenny Nangis and Marvin Martin have been ordered to stay away from the rest of the squad when pre-season started on 3 July.

 

On Monday, Enyeama tweeted a photo with some of his fellow outcasts, including Montenegro international Marko Basa and France's Marvin Martin. he said it was always a pleasure to be back with the team.

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