Fulham striker Steve Marlet is hoping to get his career back on track in Germany, where he is set to sign for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old striker cost Fulham £11.5million in 2001 when he joined from Lyon but he has spent the last two seasons on loan at Marseille after falling out of favour at Craven Cottage following the exit of boss and fellow Frenchman Jean Tigana.
Marlet has 23 caps for France but was never prolific in England and struggled for goals at Marseille.
Yet besides Wolfsburg, he was also coveted by French Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre, Premiership club Manchester City and Portuguese side Benfica.
“I had quite a lot of concrete contacts but things got delayed,” Marlet said in L’Equipe.
“With the Germans, everything was clear right from the start.
“I would have been interested in joining Auxerre and I spoke with Jacques Santini, who wanted me, but the club directors were slow.
“Manchester City also expressed their interest but I wanted to be fast. We are already in mid-August and even if I am used to last-minute transfers I am glad to be ahead this time.”
Marlet also admits his regret at four frustrating years with Fulham.
“I had a lot of problems there but it did not come from me,” he insists.
“I never triggered all those problems, I never asked to be bought that expensive.
“I felt happy there and I just wanted to play.
“Now I am in Wolfsburg and I want to have a more stable life.”
Wolfsburg will play against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend in their third Bundesliga match of the new campaign.
“I don’t know the Bundesliga but I’ve only heard good things about it,” added Marlet.
“I discussed a lot with Bixente Lizarazu, who explained to me that the German league was fascinating, very open and very attacking. He told me not to hesitate.
“I took a week to think about it and I accepted Wolfsburg’s offer.
“I saw the brand new stadium and visited the training centre – it’s great.”
