FC LORIENT president Loic Fery stressed that Dango Outtaara’s transfer to Cherries was not forced by the shared ownership of Bill Foley.

Black Knight, the consortium headed by Foley, bought a minority stake in the Ligue 1 outfit, recently reported as 40 per cent by Ouest France.

With Foley talking of a multi-club model that features Cherries as the parent club of the arrangement, many suspected that Burkina Faso international Ouattara’s move to the south coast was made sure by Black Knight.

However, Fery denied this, telling Ouest France in his native French: “I understand that the timing generates confusion. 

“The transfer of Dango is singled out, as if this sale meant that we gave up all ambition and as if our player had signed at Bournemouth under pressure.

“Dango will be to express why he and his agent made this choice rather than another. 

“Even if FC Lorient opens the door to a departure, I prefer to sell to the club which offered us the best offer, the amount of which will allow us to better strengthen our squad.”

Fery then went onto quell fears that his side would become a feeder club to Cherries.

He explained: "It is in our DNA - FC Lorient is destined to watching its talents grow elsewhere. 

"And we must accept this idea without always being in control of the timeframe, in a context where our players have never so coveted. 

“The partnership with our new shareholder from the United States seems demonised. 

“However, his (Foley's) arrival opens doors for us without closing those of our management autonomy and without compromising our values ​​or our identity. 

“I understand that fans express concerns about what still represents the unknown in their eyes; we will do what is necessary to enlighten them and reassure them. 

“I repeat that FC Lorient will not become a feeder club.

“I am the majority shareholder and the chairman, with the decision-making power needed to follow our development strategy. 

“It is therefore not a question of an overhaul of the whole operation, but of a continuity of management. I ask fans to trust us.”