Issa Diop is attracting interest from Nantes: Is a move from Ligue 1 on the cards? | OneFootball

Photo: BBC

The relegation battle in Ligue 1 is tightening its grip, and FC Nantes, with Metz breathing down their neck, finds itself dangerously close to the dreaded red zone. In a desperate bid for survival, the club's management is working tirelessly behind the scenes to bolster its squad before it's too late.

As reported by Ouest-France, a key target has emerged to shore up their fragile defense: Issa Diop. The 28-year-old Franco-Moroccan defender, once a promising talent in France, has found himself frozen out at Fulham, making a mere four Premier League appearances this season. While his experience in English football is considered an asset, his current stagnation makes a move imperative.

For Diop, a return to his home country could be the perfect catalyst to resurrect a career that has lost its momentum. For Nantes, it represents a potential lifeline—a chance to add top-flight steel to their back line in their fight for survival. However, this ray of hope has recently dimmed. The initial enthusiasm from the Canaries has cooled considerably, with Fulham's asking price presenting a formidable obstacle.

The financials are daunting. Diop's market value is estimated at €10 million, and his current contract with the London club, which runs until 2027, sees him earning a substantial annual salary of over €4 million. This combination of transfer fee and wages is casting a long shadow over the deal, leaving Nantes to ponder whether this crucial reinforcement is a risk they can afford to take.