Metz plan Ligue two rebuild without Giorgi Tsitaichvili or Jean-Philippe Gbamin, hope to keep Bouna Sarr | OneFootball

Metz were officially relegated to Ligue two after a 1-2 loss to Monaco. President Bernard Serin has set an immediate return as the target, with a hectic close season ahead.

According to L'Équipe, right-back Koffi Kouao has confirmed he will leave at the end of his deal, with interest from England and Scotland. Jean-Philippe Gbamin seems set to seek a new challenge, a year after arriving from FC Zürich.

Fodé Ballo-Touré is also set to go after being dropped in recent weeks, and Sadibou Sané is expected to depart. Loans for Boubacar Traoré and Lucas Michal will end, as will Giorgi Tsitaichvili’s successful spell from Dynamo Kiev, with the Georgian attracting many suitors.

On loan at La Louvière, Pape Moussa Fall is in high demand, including from Lille and Lorient. Morgan Bokele and Kevin Van den Kerkhof, on loan at Dunkerque and Charleroi, also look likely to continue elsewhere.

Gauthier Hein lost the armband in early February to Habib Diallo, whose agency he has joined. Hein remains the team’s technical leader and is drawing interest, including from promoted Troyes. A decision on Diallo is due at season’s end.

Veterans Bouna Sarr, 34, and Benjamin Stambouli, 35, are out of contract in June but remain valued, and could mentor Believe Munongo, 16, whose camp is delaying a first professional deal already lined up.

Giorgi Kvilitaia could return if an extension is agreed, and the option on Giorgi Abuachvili is trending towards being exercised. Jonathan Fischer and Alpha Touré could leave if suitable bids arrive, with interest from England.

Metz are trying to extend Pape Sy, promising him the number one role. Terry Yegbe, Maxime Colin and Michel Mboula are expected to stay, as is Jessy Deminguet. Nathan Mbala, 18, and academy trio Tahirys Dos Santos, Adam Marchal and Abdoulaye Nassoko should feature.

Striker Abdourahmane Mbodji, 18, who scored 11 in 24 for Génération Foot in Senegal’s top flight, is due to arrive for pre-season. Ibou Sané and Joseph Nduquidi will return from Amiens after its drop to Ligue three. Joël Asoro is due back after a loan at Djurgardens until at least August, and is under contract until 2027.

Source: L'Équipe