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Just as dust settles for Monaco's replacement signing, a Harambee Stars prospect edges closer to a potential Nantes move.
Harambee Stars prospect Eliot Matazo could be on the brink of a career-defining move as French Ligue 1 club FC Nantes intensifies its efforts to sign the talented 22-year-old midfielder from AS Monaco this January.
Matazo, who has struggled for game time with Monaco this season, could soon find a new home at Nantes, offering him a fresh start and the opportunity to reignite his promising career.
Reports from French publication Footboom indicate that Nantes has upped their offer for the Belgian-born player with Kenyan and Congolese roots.
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Matazo, who has managed just 68 minutes of league action this season, has reportedly been deemed surplus to requirements by Monaco.
However, negotiations are ongoing, with Monaco preferring a transfer while Nantes remains persistent in meeting the Principality club’s terms.
“As previously reported, the Canaries are indeed very interested in bringing Eliot Matazo (AS Monaco, 22 years old) this winter. A transfer offer is well on its way!” the publication stated.
Matazo’s situation appears set to progress rapidly, especially with AS Monaco close to finalizing the signing of his replacement, 19-year-old Belgian midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, for a reported fee of €13 million.
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Belgian journalist Joost Blaauwhof revealed that Banzuzi’s move to Monaco is all but confirmed, suggesting Monaco coach Adi Hutter may now feel more comfortable sanctioning Matazo’s departure.
The Nairobi-born midfielder’s limited opportunities at Monaco this season follow a loan spell at Antwerp last year, where he featured in 10 league games, scoring one goal.
Matazo’s Ligue 1 journey began in September 2020 at just 18 years old, but the young star has found consistency elusive, tallying 60 league appearances and contributing two goals and two assists in his career thus far.
A switch to Nantes could provide Matazo with a chance to rediscover his form and fulfill the potential that once saw him hailed as one of Monaco’s brightest prospects.
The move also carries significance for Kenyan football, as Matazo remains eligible to represent the Harambee Stars despite his current involvement with Belgium’s U21 team.
With his father hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo and his mother from Kenya’s Nyanza region, Matazo could still opt to represent either nation at senior level.
Kenyan fans and analysts are hopeful this potential transfer could lead to a resurgence for Matazo.
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The midfielder’s talents were highlighted during his time with Antwerp and in youth-level stints with Belgium, but his recent struggles at Monaco have left many questioning his next steps.
Adding a personal dimension to Matazo’s story is his involvement in a tragic road accident in April last year that claimed the life of an elderly cyclist.
While no charges were brought against him, the incident reportedly had a significant impact on the young player, underlining the importance of a supportive environment as he seeks to rebuild his career.
FC Nantes, currently mid-table in Ligue 1, offers an ideal setting for Matazo to flourish.
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Their structured midfield approach and emphasis on youth development could help Matazo reignite his potential while providing a platform to showcase his talent.
The deal, if finalized, would not only boost the player’s prospects but also provide Kenyan football enthusiasts with a new star to watch in European football.
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