Construction site opened in Nantes. During a back-to-school press conference, Antoine Kombouaré, accompanied by deputy general manager Franck Kita, took stock of FC Nantes’ summer transfer window. Several departures are expected in order to inject new blood into the squad.
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“The priority is to work to build a squad as close as possible to the one we’re going to start with. Today, it’s the midfield positions that need to be filled. But at the same time, you have Douglas Augusto who is still there, Pedro Chirivella too. So we also have to see with them what they’re going to do,” the Nantes coach first declared, confirming that the door was open for the two 27-year-old players.
“In the end-of-season discussions, they expressed the wish to leave,” explained Antoine Kombouaré. “And I agree. Pedro is in his fourth season. He wants to go and see elsewhere. It’s good for him and for us. It’s not just a question of weariness. You have players who stay in clubs, who earn a lot, but who want to see something else. For him, it’s a little different. Over the last four seasons, we’ve had three difficult relegations. He’s had his day, but he’s not the only one.”
Lafont also on transfer list
In this case, Antoine Kombouaré, without being asked the question, stated that an exit voucher also existed for Alban Lafont: “It’s the same. He also wants to leave. So we were talking about recruits in the middle, but also at the goalkeeper position with a number one and a number two.”
Another question mark: Mostafa Mohamed. “For the moment, he is with us. Then after, if there are opportunities for him, we will examine them, him too. And he is not there to say that he absolutely wants to return to Nantes, he is also looking on his side”, affirmed Antoine Kombouaré.
Douglas Augusto is under contract until June 2027 with the Canaries. The same goes for Mostafa Mohamed (26 years old) and Alban Lafont (25 years old). As for Pedro Chirivella, he is tied to the club until June 2026.
Original article published on RMC Sport
