Clermont Foot coach Pascal Gastien says Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed did not want to stay at the club.
Samed completed his move to Lens on a five-year deal following an amazing campaign Clermont Foot in the 2021/22 Ligue 1 season.
The 22-year-old made 31 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring one goal in the process.
"He clearly did not want to stay. I would have liked to keep him, but it was not possible. Even if the club were ready to make the effort, he absolutely wanted to leave. He was formal and he had told me before the end of last season," Gastien said as quoted by the club's official website.
"From the moment the player wants to leave and we have a decent offer, it's difficult to keep him. But, if we hadn't had a decent offer, he would have stayed . Like Momo Bayo last summer."
Samed spent three seasons at Clermont Foot. He joined on loan in 2019 before signing a permanent deal in 2021.
The midfielder was under contract until 2025 but will continue his trade at Lens next season after completing his move.
He was handed with handed his maiden Ghana call up before the 2021 AFCON tournament but could not honour the invite due to injury.