SHARE

 

Over the past week or so, the future of Bournemouth’s Max Gradel has become a subject of interest in the French media, with La Gazette des Transferts kicking things off regarding a loan to Nantes.

AS Saint-Etienne, the player’s former club, were also reported as considering making a move for the Ivory Coast international, but it would appear that Nantes remain the front runners to sign Eddie Howe’s man from the Aviva Stadium.

According to Manu Lonjon, journalist at Yahoo Sport in France, Gradel is currently in talks with the small Ligue 1 club regarding a loan deal that would see him finish the season on the Atlantic coast.

The winger, who saw an impressive start to last season cut short by a bad knee injury, has fallen out of favour at Bournemouth, and a transfer back to Ligue 1 would certainly guarantee him some time on the pitch.

Of course, wages and such are likely to slow this down a bit, but we can’t see the player refusing game time, and if Bournemouth want to sell him next summer if Eddie Howe deems him surplus to requirements, putting him in the shop window, albeit elsewhere, could be a wise move.