Egypt international Mostafa Mohamed absent as Nantes return for pre-season training

FC Nantes have returned to training as they prepare for a season in Ligue 2. Les Canaris had a catastrophic season, burning through three managers and making the drop to the second tier of French football.

The Loire-based club finished the season with Vahid Halilhodzic in charge of the side on an interim basis. He could not save Nantes, however. He has since departed and Michel Der Zakarian has returned for a third stint in charge. His objective is to take the club back into Ligue 1. 

It is unclear who will stay at Nantes. Already, Johann Lepenant is being linked with a move away from the Beaujoire. Matthis Abline is also attracting interest, but with the Kitas holding firm on their €40m valuation, it could be a complicated deal.

There is also uncertainty around Mostafa Mohamed (28), an Egypt international who missed out on the FIFA World Cup squad. Ouest-France understands that Mohamed missed the return to pre-season training. The club are unaware of his whereabouts. At the club since 2022, his contract expires next summer.

Der Zakarian has yet to speak to the Egyptian striker, but Ouest-France understands that he may not necessarily feature in the new manager’s plans.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle