Brandao's move from Saint-Etienne to Bastia collapses at last minute

BASTIA - Brazilian striker Brandao's move to Ligue 1 club SC Bastia has collapsed after Saint-Etienne demanded a transfer fee for the player at the last minute.

"After the player signed a one-year deal (with the option of a second), Saint-Etienne demanded a transfer fee, contrary to what we had initially foreseen," said Bastia in a statement.

The Corsicans, now coached by Claude Makelele, added that they had therefore decided not to go ahead with the deal for the 34-year-old.

Brandao, a title-winner with Marseille in 2010, had initially thought he had been freed from the final year of his contract with Saint-Etienne to allow him to sign for Bastia.