“We’ll Pay for Emiliano Sala when Time’s Right”, Cardiff Chairman Confirms

Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman has assured Nantes that a transfer commitment will be honored at a more suitable time.

The club have been dragged into a legal row with Nantes after receiving a demand for full payment for the transfer. Reports indicated that Nantes had consulted lawyers to explore legal options to ensure Cardiff pays the transfer fee for Sala.

Earlier on Wednesday reports emerged that the Ligue 1 club were demanding six of the €15 million (£13m/$17m) from Cardiff City for the Argentine forward.

“The only thing I can say, because it is a sensitive subject, is that I confirm that what you are saying [that Cardiff haven’t paid the first instalment] is true,” Dalman said. “And to be honest, I do not want to say anything more at this time.”

From Cardiff’s point of view, the priority is to establish all the facts around the tragedy.

“The first reason is that the body has not been recovered yet.

“We must show respect to the family. There is a process for recovering the plane. It’s too early for us to comment.

“[We will pay] when we think it’s the right time to do it.

“I don’t think Cardiff said we were not going to pay,” he was quoted by Goal.

On 19 January 2019, Sala joined Cardiff city for three and a half-year deal for a club record transfer fee,reported to be £15 million. The transfer beat the previous club record of £11 million paid for  Gary Meddel in 2013.

As part of a sell-on clause, 50% of the transfer fee was due to his first professional club Bordeaux. Among those due to claim a large slice over the deal is the businessman Willie McKay and his son Mark, who acted as intermediaries.

It is understood that Cardiff received a letter from Nantes on Tuesday, in which the French club threatened to take legal action if the first scheduled payment is not received within the next 10 days.