FC Nantes want €15m to sell Ludovic Blas

L’Équipe report that Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes are resigned to having to sell French youth international attacking midfielder Ludovic Blas, but in order to accept this, they are seeking €15m as a transfer fee.

The 25-year-old was the subject of protracted negotiations between FC Nantes and French 1st division outfit Lille last summer – in fact, the two clubs agreed a €15m fee plus €5m in bonuses, in order for the Sport Cover-represented player to transfer to Paulo Fonseca’s team.

At the last minute, Nantes did a u-turn at the behest of then manager Antoine Kombouaré, who convinced the Les Canaris board to block the sale as he felt that without Blas, the club could face a serious relegation battle. In the end, despite keeping Blas, Nantes faced a relegation battle anyway, finishing 1 point about the drop zone.

Blas, who now has 12 months remaining on his current contract, impressed scouts during Nantes’ unlikely Europa League knockout stage campaign which ended against Juventus.

As previously reported, Rennes are particularly interested in acquiring Blas, whilst Lille are believed to still be harbouring an interest in the ex-EA Guingamp man.

GFFN | James Thorpe