MARSEILLE tried to sell Jonathan Clauss on deadline day for being too loud in the dining room, according to shock reports.
The France international was transfer listed by the Ligue 1 giants during the closing stages of the January window.
Despite scoring twice and adding eight assists in 29 appearances this season, the one-time Manchester United and Chelsea target was deemed surplus to requirements by Marseille.
Supporters were shocked by the club’s decision as president Pablo Longoria made a desperate attempt to offload the 31-year-old.
However, Clauss refused to leave and remained a Marseille player when the window slammed shut.
Although the club deny the claims, L’Equipe report the breakdown between Clauss and Marseille began during their 2-2 draw with Monaco on January 27.
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After pulling up injured, the full-back was examined and tested by medical staff, who reported the issue was nothing serious.
This is said to have left club chiefs furious that Clauss failed to finish the match, accusing him of not giving 100 per cent effort.
The report adds that staff were adamant he was instead focused on being fit for this summer’s Euros, believing his injury was the third such incident since October.
It adds that details of the club’s opinion on Clauss were then leaked in a bid to speed up the potential sale.
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Sporting director Mehdi Benatia was said to have told Clauss’ representatives he would never play for the club again.
Meanwhile, it was reported he had been asked to stay away from the club and deemed a distraction since his 2022 arrival from Lens.
Factors behind this included being too loud in the dining room and criticising his team-mates when they made mistakes on the ball.
When the window shut with Clauss still at the club, Marseille were forced to backtrack, reportedly telling the player that the situation had been blown up by the media.
Clauss returned to action in last weekend’s loss at Lyon and is expected to feature at home to Metz on Friday.
Speaking ahead of the match, manager Gennaro Gattuso told reporters: “Clauss is an important player but you have to ask more, like with others.
“This is what we are missing, being demanding with ourselves and with others, reproaching your partner if he does not do enough, everyone must make themselves available to the other without thinking individually.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
