Six French clubs reportedly interested in him

ELIAS Uzamukunda’s move to French Ligue 2 club Nantes FC seems to have taken a new twist after reports that the French football association has stalled the deal.

Initially, Nantes had agreed with APR to offer the player a one-year loan deal but according to reports from France, the French Football Association wants the Rwandan international striker signed on a two-year-contract since he is still below 20 years of age.

The development has now forced Nantes to give up on signing the striker. It is said that the team’s reserve coach Mathieu Bideu has been at the center of frustrating the APR’s forward’s move to Nantes.

The stalemate could be a blessing in disguise as six clubs are now chasing the 19-year-old’s signature.

Reports reaching our desk indicate that Ligue 1 clubs Monaco, OGC Nice, Toulouse, Lorient and two Ligue 2 clubs; Havre and EA Guingamp have all been linked with interest in the former AS Kigali star.

However, speaking from France, Uzamukunda blamed APR for the delays.

"I think Nantes is tossing me around because APR has not followed up on this issue seriously,” he told Times Sport by telephone yesterday.

"If all goes well, I should find a club before the end of this week,” he added.

For now, the striker is expected to stay at Nantes as they decide whether to keep him or ship him back to Rwanda.
Early this month, league champions APR claimed to have loaned the striker to Nantes for one year.

The club’s Secretary General Adolphe Kalisa said that the player had moved on a loan deal because of what he described as ‘managerial problems’ at the French club.

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