‘They will leave’: Manager admits Leeds and Newcastle targets will be sold

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Ludovic Blas and Moses Simon can leave Nantes amid interest from Premier League clubs Newcastle United, West Ham, Leeds and Brighton, Canaries coach Antoine Koumbouare tells RMC Sport. 

The phrase ‘victims of your own success’ comes to mind.

Remember when Monaco snatched the Ligue 1 crown from under PSG’s nose in 2017, only to be rewarded by having their title-winning squad torn apart like a horde of hungry piranhas ripping into a chunk of bloody flesh? 

Well, something similar appears to be happening at Nantes, albeit on a smaller scale. After winning the Coupe de France title – their first piece of silverware in 20 years – Nantes have already lost star forward Randal Kolo Muani to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Winger Simon looks set to follow in his footsteps. Brighton and Newcastle have held talks. Simon also admitted that Leeds ‘came calling’ in January, and the Yorkshire giants could renew their interest following Raphinha’s impending switch to Chelsea. 

Meanwhile, Ludovic Blas – scorer of the winning goal in the French Cup final – has reportedly caught the eye of both West Ham and Newcastle. 

Premier League clubs plan Nantes raid

And former PSG coach Koumbouare admits that Simon and Blas – not to mention goalkeeper Alban Lafont – will be allowed to leave for the right amount. 

“They have an exit voucher,” Kombouare says. “It’s clear. After that, it depends on the offers they have. If they have offers which suit them and which suit the club, they will leave.

“We will be very happy (for them) and we will work to replace them. And, if they stay there with us, they will remain part of the squad and we will work with them.”

“We would love for them to stay,” adds general director – and son of the owner – Franck Kita. “But if there are very interesting offers, we will have to think about it.”

Newcastle could potentially turn to the explosive Blas with their long-standing interest in Hugo Ekitike coming to nothing. Blas produced 15 goals and five assists – more than Ekitike – across 2021/22.

Lafont, meanwhile, was linked with Crystal Palace by talkSPORT. The Eagles appear to have bowed out of the race for a new shot-stopper however with Sam Johnstone on his way.