Abidal retains Monaco desire

Abidal retains Monaco desire

Published Jun. 26, 2013 3:16 p.m. ET

Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal retains hope of re-joining Monaco and admits playing in Ligue 1 is his priority.

The French defender, who fought back from liver cancer and a subsequent transplant to play again, left the Catalans this summer after they opted against offering him a new contract.

The 33-year-old believes any worries concerning his health are unfounded, insisting he is fine to play at a top level.

The free agent would love to re-join Monaco, whom he left back in 2002, but failing that, he would like to play for another Ligue 1 side amid interest from MLS outfit New York Red Bulls.

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Worried

Abidal told radio station RTL: "I met the sport director (of Monaco), and everyone is worried.

"But everything is fine, I can do sport, but on contracts there are a lot of clauses.

"It will all depend on AS Monaco, even if it is my priority. I am optimistic for Monaco, but time is passing by and I have doubt, I would like things to accelerate.

"Coming back to Ligue 1 is my priority. I had contact with Claude Puel at Nice but also with New York Red Bulls."

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