Pay-cut made Ayew walk

Andre Ayew has confirmed that Marseille’s decision to reduce rather than increase his wages is a major reason for his imminent departure.

He reportedly earns a €300,000 monthly salary at Marseille.

The Ghanaian winger, whose contract runs out at the end of June, scored in what will be his last game as a Marseille player at the Stade Velodrome in their 4-0 drubbing of Lille last Saturday – his 10th of the season.

Club President in an interview with The Independent conceded they could not extend Ayew’s stay and the 25-year-old has further revealed the club’s new direction does not assure imminent titles.

“There are many things behind it. We tried to find solutions that I stay but for the club and me it was a bit complicated, whether in sport or financial aspects,” the son of Marseille legend Abedi Pele said in an interview.

“Lower my salary to stay at Marseille? Would you lower your salary?”

“I expected more, I wanted the club to have a competitive team next year to play for the title and it is not insured. And the club could not offer me the same wage,” Ayew ended.

Ayew who has been named winner of the Marc-Vivien Foé award for Africa’s best player in France this season has made a total 206 appearances for Marseille in all competitions since beginning from the youth team in 2005.