Still looking for reinforcements during the winter transfer window, FC Nantes is exploring a new avenue with Zakaria Aboukhlal, a well-known player in Ligue 1.
Following a catastrophic first part of the season in the league, Nantes ended 2025 on a good note with its beautiful 5-3 victory against Concarneau in the round of 32 of the Coupe de France. If this result does not change the situation of the Canaries in L1, it still allows Ahmed Kantari’s men to go through the end-of-year holidays in a more serene manner, with the desire to get off to a good start in 2026. The FCN will have no other choice anyway if it wants to save its place in the elite of French football. Penultimate with only 11 points on the clock in 16 days, Nantes will have to score twice as many points in the second half of the season to hope to catch up with their competitors.
Placed four lengths from the first non-relegation place, Le Havre, the FCN is counting heavily on the winter transfer window to revive itself by considerably strengthening its team. Recruitment has already started, since former Lensois Deiver Machado has already joined the FCN as a joker at the end of December, and Rémy Cabella will follow him from the start. These two experienced L1 players will not be the only Nantes recruits this winter, knowing that the yellow and green club is also looking to recruit a central defender, a midfielder and a winger.
Zakaria Aboukhlal, a credible lead in Nantes
In recent days, the European press has reported interest from Nantes in Louis Munteanu. If this track greatly pleases President Waldemar Kita, the Romanian striker, estimated at 10 million euros by his club Cluj, is clearly not within the reach of Nantes’ finances. Consequently, the FCN could turn to a more affordable file on the Series A side. Indeed, according to information from the site
The Violetsthe Canary leaders are interested in Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Lacking playing time on the Torino side, the former Toulouse striker has only played ten games this season. And he would like to get some playing time in the second half of the season, to compete in the 2026 World Cup with his Morocco selection. For this, Torino could let him leave as part of a loan with a purchase option of 9 ME. A real opportunity on which the Kita family could jump in order to offer Ahmed Kantari, a new offensive weapon capable of turning the points counter as quickly as possible on the side of La Beaujoire.
Z. Aboukhlal
The Netherlands • Age 25 • Attacker
