Vitality director: "We don't have sales conversations behind our players' backs"

Vitality denied a French insider's report that the organization is looking to sell its in-game leader.

Vitality's Director of Esports, Anne Banschbach, has addressed French insider Sebastien "⁠KRL⁠" Perez's claims that the organization's co-founder, Fabien "Neo" Devide, is looking to sell Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire.

"Seeing as misunderstandings can happen on the internet, let me be very clear: apEX, our captain, is not for sale," Banschbach wrote on X. "The full team is focused on the Major. Let's win this shit."

Along with Mathieu "⁠ZywOo⁠" Herbaut, apEX has become a franchise player for the French organization. He has been with Vitality since its entry into Counter-Strike in late 2018 and has more than two years left on his current deal following his latest contract renewal in October 2023.

Contacted by HLTV, Banschbach insisted Vitality "are not looking to sell apEX."

"These rumors are just that, rumors," she said. "We want to reassure the community that we don't have sales conversations behind our players' backs. apEX is a key pillar of our team and he was not informed of any talks because there were never any conversations about sales.

"Right now, our focus is on ensuring that our players and team are in the right place to perform for the Major."

The in-game leader was not the only Vitality player targeted by rumors in the past week. KRL also claimed on Thursday that Lotan "⁠Spinx⁠" Giladi is expected to leave the team in 2025 after both sides "expressed interest in parting ways."

The Vitality director was evasive when asked about KRL's claims regarding the Israeli player.

"We respect our players' wishes and when the time is right, we will have those discussions," she said. "Right now, as stated, all of our players are focused on being in the best form possible for Major."

Spinx previously asked to explore his options in the summer off-season due to "in-game grievances," but the issue was settled in a matter of days, according to coach Rémy "⁠XTQZZZ⁠" Quoniam.

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