Rabiu Afolabi has claimed he was inches away from joining Aston Villa during the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international has revealed that his employers Sochaux did not allow him to move to Villa at the start of the year.
Athletic defender Afolabi is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, and he has no idea why his French club turned their back on Martin O’Neill’s offer.
Sochaux are involved on the relegation fight and refused Afolabi to make the step to Villa Park.
"Aston Villa came asking about me in January but to my surprise, Sochaux blocked the transaction demanding €1.5million (£1.4 million) to release me,” he told Tide Sports.
"I was very furious about it. Since just five months were remaining on my contract, I see no reason why the management did not allow me to go.
"Aston Villa offered to have me on loan and they were expected to pay my salary until the end of the season.
“This would have been a logical thing for Sochaux to accept because as is it now, at the end of the season I will leave and Sochaux will have nothing on me."