Ligue 1 player ‘closely followed’ by Watford scouts – Agent to soon ‘discuss future’ with club leaders

Watford are monitoring Ligue 1 midfielder Mattéo Ahlinvi, if reports coming out of France on Tuesday are to be believed.

The 21-year-old arrived at Nîmes Olympique from Ligue 2 side En Avant Guingamp in 2019.

He made only one appearance, against RC Lens in the Coupe de la Ligue, in his debut season at Nîmes. Earlier this year, the French side offered him the first professional contract of his career.

The defensive midfielder has made eight appearances in the league this season, and his recent performances have caught the attention of ‘foreign clubs’, according to Foot Mercato.

It’s claimed the French-born Benin international is ‘closely followed’ by scouts from the Hornets, VfB Stuttgart and Swiss side Young Boys.

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The outlet further adds Ahlinvi has been watched several times as a part of ‘large list of players’ monitored. The player, for his part, wants to focus on finishing the season with his current employer.

Nîmes didn’t confirm the duration of Ahlinvi’s contract. Foot Mercato states his current deal runs down in 2021, with an option to further extend it by 12 months.

Ahlinvi is ‘starting to catch the eye’ of some clubs, including Watford. His representatives, Benny Madi and Julien Tournut, will soon hold talks with Nîmes.

“Mattéo is greatly appreciated by his directors and has the confidence of his coach. He is currently focused on his goals that he set for himself at the start of the season. We will soon make an appointment with the leaders, to discuss his future,” his agents told Foot Mercato.