Standard Liège Pull Back from Zokora Pursuit Over Wage Demands
Standard Liège’s bid to bolster their midfield has hit a stumbling block after negotiations with Ivorian veteran Didier Zokora stalled due to financial disagreements.
The Belgian Pro League side is in the market for an experienced defensive midfielder following the arrival of Ricardo Faty, but talks with Zokora, 33, have not progressed. The former Ivory Coast international, who previously played for Genk, has been a free agent since his departure from Turkish club Trabzonspor.
While Zokora remains keen to return to Belgian football, Standard Liège officials are said to have balked at his salary demands. Sources close to the club describe the player’s financial expectations as “excessive”, prompting management to quickly explore alternative options.
Among those now being considered are Marseille’s Benoît Cheyrou and Belgian international Gaby Mudingayi, both 33. Cheyrou, who has struggled for game time at the Ligue 1 club, and Mudingayi, who previously played in Serie A, are seen as more financially viable solutions.
Standard Liège are aiming to reinforce their squad with both experience and leadership in the centre of the park, as they prepare for a busy domestic and European campaign. But with budgetary discipline a growing priority, club directors are treading carefully in the transfer market.
For Zokora, the setback marks another chapter in his search for a new club. One of the most experienced African midfielders of his generation, the Ivorian has featured for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Sevilla, and Saint-Étienne, earning over 100 caps for his country.
Whether a compromise can still be reached remains to be seen, but for now, Standard Liège appear to be shifting focus toward more affordable targets.
