Tylel Tati looks to restart ascent after suitors and a lull | OneFootball

At 18, Nantes defender Tylel Tati is seeking to restart his ascent as his side visit Sochaux on Saturday at 14:00.

According to L'Équipe, he broke into Ligue 1 at 17 under Luis Castro in central defence. The left-footer came through Roissy-en-Brie and Clairefontaine, signed his first professional deal in October 2025, then joined Bernard Diomède’s France U19s.

The rise came amid a survival scrap and coaching changes, to Ahmed Kantari in December and Vahid Halilhodzic in March. His season ended in April soon after he extended to 2030, due to a red card at Metz and an injury.

At the end of January, Chelsea offered €30m plus €5m in bonuses, planning to leave him at Strasbourg. Tati was in no hurry to go, wanted to help his club try to stay up, and Nantes did not accept a mid-season sale.

Summer interest came from Freiburg and RB Leipzig, dependent on departures, plus two bids from Napoli, the last in late August near €20m. Troyes, part of City Group, also moved but did not go beyond €15m including bonuses.

He resumed in Ligue 2 amid uncertainty. In the 1-2 loss at Laval on 14 August, his pass was intercepted by Mathys Houdayer for the second, with Maxime Dupé only able to touch it. Since then he has been on the bench.

With the window shut and now in Ligue 2, he has time to relaunch, particularly if new coach Grégory Poirier opts for a back three.

Source: L'Équipe

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