“It was not good for my career to be at a Championship club. I want to play in future World Cups and African Cup of Nations competitions with Cameroon.
“That is made more difficult if you are not playing at the higher level.”
Bassong had left caretaker boss Chris Hughton fizzing last weekend when he effectively went on strike and refused to travel to Dundee for the friendly at Tannadice against Dundee United.
This resulted in a fine of two week’s wages and cost Bassong around £12,000. But it was clear at that point that the man United signed from Metz for a bargain £500,000 had reached the point of no return.
Manchester City were also interested in taking Bassong to Eastlands, but their pursuit of Joleon Lescott meant he wasn’t the main priority, and that left Spurs in the driving seat.
The exit of Bassong, though, has undoubtedly left yet a bad taste in the mouths of United fans, with the exit of last year’s player of the season further depleting an already frail-looking squad.
Bassong joins Obafemi Martins, who left for Wolfsburg last week, in quitting United. But, unlike the big-earning Nigerian, the defender’s exit will only clear around £6,000 a week off the wage bill.
Meanwhile, there was no further news on the takeover of the Magpies today as the agony continues for Newcastle fans.
And even though fans woke up today to back page headlines that that Tyneside businessman Barry Moat was about to be installed as the new face of United, this has been played down by the current hierarchy.
But as usual, no-one was available for comment at the club this morning.
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