Nantes and Auxerre competing to sign Lorient captain Laurent Abergel | OneFootball

L’Équipe report that FC Nantes and recently-promoted AJ Auxerre will battle it out to sign FC Lorient captain Laurent Abergel (31).

Lorient were relegated on the final day of the Ligue 1 season. Despite almost pulling off a great escape, beating Clermont Foot 5-0 and finishing level on points and on goal difference with FC Metz, who occupied the relegation play-off spot, Les Merlus went down due to their head-to-head record against Les Grenats.

However, Abergel, left in tears after a defeat to Olympique de Marseille on the penultimate day of the season, may not remain with Lorient as they return to Ligue 2. The midfielder, whose contract with Les Merlus runs until 2026, is the subject of interest from Nantes, as well as Auxeree, who finished the season as Ligue 2 champions.

Lorient won’t let their captain leave easily. Club president Loïc Féry wants to build the team around Abergel as they look to return to Ligue 1. The midfielder, who is currently on holiday, wants time in order to make a decision on his future.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle