Unfortunately it can happen at the most elite clubs in the game if the chairman has high interference. I managed Bayern and had this happen.
You can always offer him out for free so it attracts a few dozen bids and then hope he accepts one of those offers so you can then cancel it when it comes to confirming the deal. You'll otherwise have to use the editor if he chooses the team that the chairman accepted the bid from.
This worked for me! nothing else did, just keep offering him to clubs and then declining when hes about to move
Board accepting offers
in Football Manager General Discussion
Posted
This worked for me! nothing else did, just keep offering him to clubs and then declining when hes about to move