Nantes' Ligue 1 adventure ended after a 1-0 defeat at Lens, confirming relegation to Ligue 2 with a game to spare. The club now faces a crucial summer to remodel the squad and pursue an immediate return to the top flight, alongside searches for a new head coach and a head of recruitment.
Several senior figures are heading for the exit. Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, midfield anchor Francis Coquelin, and striker Youssef El Arabi all see their contracts expire, with Lopes' conditional extension clause voided by the drop. Defenders Deiver Machado and Uros Radakovic also depart, their deals tied to a survival objective that wasn’t met. Meanwhile, loan players Abakar Sylla (Strasbourg), Nicolas Cozza (Wolfsburg), Mohamed Kaba (Lecce), and Rémy Cabella (Olympiakos) return to their parent clubs.
The goalkeeping department will lean on Alexis Mirbach, a 21-year-old signed last year, while talks are underway to extend backup Patrik Carlgren. Alban Lafont, on loan at Panathinaikos without a purchase option, could be retained by the Greek side if they pursue a deal. In defense, Nantes is negotiating new contracts with full-backs Frédéric Guilbert and Mathieu Acapandié, while Ali Yousuf, Chidozie Awaziem, and Kelvin Amian are all expected to stay and anchor the backline.
The midfield revamp sees Johann Lepenant, Louis Leroux, Ibrahima Sissoko, and Bahmed Deuff all poised to remain, offering a blend of youth and experience. Lamine Diack returns from an unproductive loan at FC Sion, while Sekou Doucouré and Fabien Centonze add depth. Attacking prospect Amady Camara also comes back after a loan spell at Sturm Graz.
Up front, Ignatius Ganago and Mostafa Mohamed are likely to stay, providing firepower for the promotion push. Yassine Benhattab will reintegrate after his loan at Reims. However, the futures of academy products Dehmaine Tabibou and Herba Guirassy hang in the balance, while Matthis Abline is expected to depart, with Monaco leading the chase—though Nantes won’t sell him at a discount.
The club’s financial position, buoyed by a reduced wage bill and a share of parachute payments worth up to €12 million, means there is no pressure to offload stars cheaply. Teenager Tylel Tati, who attracted Chelsea’s interest in winter, is another asset Nantes can afford to protect. With a new coach and recruitment chief to be named, the rebuild carries cautious optimism.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.
