Nantes Rejects Inter Milan’s €13 Million Bid for Teenage Defender Nathan Zézé

In the latest twist in the summer transfer window, Nantes has firmly rejected an offer from Serie A champions Inter Milan for their promising teenage defender, Nathan Zézé. The bid, reported to be worth around €13 million, including potential bonuses, has come as a surprise to the football community, particularly with the immense potential Zézé possesses at just 19 years old.

Zézé has been touted as one of the more promising prospects to come out of the Nantes academy in recent years. After making his Ligue 1 debut at the tender age of 17, he has showcased immense talent and potential on the pitch. He became a regular starter for Les Canaris in the latter part of the 2023-2024 Ligue 1 season, which only adds to his growing reputation.

According to reports from Ouest France, this rejection isn’t simply a matter of the club wanting to hold on to their talent; it appears they have deeper plans for Zézé. Nantes is looking to build around young talents, and the club recently secured Zézé’s services by extending his contract until 2028. This move reflects their intention to keep him a key figure in their lineup for the foreseeable future.

Speaking of the current situation at Nantes, Zézé is expected to maintain his role alongside veteran centre-back Jean-Charles Castelletto next season. Castelletto’s experience will be invaluable for Zézé, who is still finding his feet at the professional level. Under the guidance of head coach Antoine Kombouaré, Zézé is likely to thrive and continue developing his skills at the highest level.

Inter Milan’s interest in Zézé comes as they seek to bolster their defensive lineup this summer. Following a serious injury suffered by wingback Buchanan at the Copa America, the Nerazzurri are in need of reinforcement on the left side of their defense. Buchanan’s leg break during training means that he will be sidelined for a significant portion of the upcoming season, prompting Inter to look for alternatives.

With Carlos Augusto now required to play exclusively at wingback, Inter’s need for a left-sided defender has become even more pressing. The club has reportedly set its sights on finding a defender who can effectively fit into a back three, a formation that suits their playstyle.

In their pursuit, Inter has a couple of strategies in mind. They might consider free transfers or loan opportunities, given the urgency of their situation. Notably, former AC Milan defender Ricardo Rodriguez and Mario Hermoso, who is currently without contract after leaving Atletico Madrid, are two names swirling around in their discussions.

However, the preference of Inter’s owners, Oaktree, seems to lean towards younger prospects. This leads to speculation that they may return to the market for other young talents instead of more seasoned players. While there were talks of striking a deal for another young defender, he ultimately chose to join Juventus, highlighting the competitive nature of the transfer market.

In addition to Zézé, Inter are reportedly eyeing several other young defenders across Europe. Teams and players from across the continent, including Zenit St. Petersburg, Arsenal, and Genoa, are all on the Nerazzurri’s radar as potential targets to strengthen their defense.

The developments surrounding Zézé and his open bid from Inter have certainly grabbed attention. It’s clear that Nantes are adamant about keeping him in their ranks, at least for now. However, the mention of interest from English clubs monitoring the situation points towards a potentially evolving player market, especially if Zézé’s performance continues to impress.

As the transfer window progresses, there may be more twists and turns ahead. With clubs like Inter Milan looking for valuable additions to their squads, and talents like Zézé drawing attention, we’ll have to keep an eye on what unfolds in the days to come.