Former France U21 international Stambouli has delved into a new project. The Montpellier HSC academy product, who went on to play for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, PSG, Schalke 04, Adana Demirspor, and most recently Reims, has joined Ligue 2 side Metz, signing a two-year deal. 

Stambouli returned to France midway through last season, joining Reims on a short-term deal in February. However, he played a peripheral role with Les Stadistes, featuring just seven times and starting on only three occasions as the Will Still-led side secured a comfortable mid-table finish. Upon the expiry of his short-term deal, Stambouli left Reims and has been a free agent since July. 

However, Stambouli is no longer a free agent. His move to Les Grenats has now been confirmed. He will wear the No.21 shirt with his new club. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Former France U21 international Stambouli is set to delve into a new project. The Montpellier HSC academy product, who went on to play for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, PSG, Schalke 04, Adana Demirspor, and most recently Reims, is on the verge of joining Metz, according to L’Équipe. 

Stambouli returned to France midway through last season, joining Reims on a short-term deal in February. However, he played a peripheral role with Les Stadistes, featuring just seven times and starting on only three occasions as the Will Still-led side secured a comfortable mid-table finish. 

Upon the expiry of his short-term deal, Stambouli left Reims and has been a free agent since July. He now looks to have found a new project and is set to join recently-relegated Metz, who are aiming for an immediate return to Ligue 1. L’Équipe understands that he is set to sign a two-year deal with Les Grenats. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Having already lost Georges Mikautadze earlier this summer, Metz have seen their attacking options diminish further, in the wake of the closure of the transfer window in France. Tetteh join Les Grenats last season in a deal worth €1.8m from EFL Championship side Hull City. 

However, he has struggled since arriving in France. He made only 13 appearances for Metz last season, including 12 in Ligue 1. However, he failed to score for the French side as they were relegated to Ligue 2, via the relegation play-offs. Tetteh won’t be part of Metz’s push to rejoin France’s top-flight at the first time of asking. 

Instead,  the Ghanaian international forward has made the move to Slovenia to join Maribor on a season-long loan. He may not return to Metz with his deal expiring at the end of the current campaign. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Promoted Premier League side Southampton were reportedly interested in signing Camara, but the Saints’ opening €10m bid was rejected by Metz. Monaco eventually secured the services of the Senegalese international. Camara will wear the #15 jersey with the Champions League-playing Principality side. Adi Hütter’s side was in the market for a midfielder following the departure of Mohamed Camara (24) to Al Sadd and the expected exit of France international Youssouf Fofana (25).

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Arriving from Génération Foot in 2022, Camara shone in his first season in Ligue 1. The Senegalese international logged two goals and five assists in 33 games, and was one of Metz’s standout players alongside George Mikautadze, who earned a big move to Olympique Lyonnais for €18M. Despite returning to Ligue 2 only one season after having been promoted, Les Grenats have multiple talents in their squad, Camara being one of them. The 20-year-old midfielder gathered lots of interest around Europe, including in the Premier League, as Southampton saw their €10M proposal being rejected by Metz. 

According to Foot Mercato, Camara is now set to remain in Ligue 1, as Monaco are closing on a €13.5M deal to sign the Senegalese international, who has given his green light to join the Principality club. The French outlet adds that there are still some details over Camara’s contract to sort out, but the deal is reportedly close to being completed by Monaco, who could register their third arrival after Thilo Kherer, whose buy option has been lifted, and George Ilenikhena. 

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Despite a cruel relegation to Ligue 2, Metz benefited from a squad full of valuable talents whose likely departures could help Les Grenats rebuild in the French second tier, aiming to get back to the top flight straight away, just like AJ Auxerre and Angers did last season. After George Mikautadze’s departure to Olympique Lyonnais, Camara is the next talent that could strengthen Metz’s finances. While Southampton are pushing forward to find an agreement with Les Grenats, the Saints are facing some fierce competition for one of Ligue 1’s revelations last season. 

However, Southampton are still on pole to land the Senegalese international, according to Foot Mercato. While Al Qadisah’s approach has been rejected by Camara, the Saints offer remains far lower than Saudi Arabia’s proposal. Metz are waiting for the Premier League outfit to improve their €10M offer to let their talented midfielder go. 

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Elisor’s journey at Metz may not live long in memories should he leave this summer. Transferred from Seraing for a €400K fee after an interesting season on loan in Ligue 2 at Stade Lavallois, where he had logged eight goals and two assists in 20 games, the French striker didn’t manage to keep his momentum in Ligue 1. After scoring one goal in 14 appearances during the first part of the season, Elisor made his return to Ligue 2 last winter, strengthening Troyes’ offensive unit in their hopes of staying up. While the centre forward excelled on the personal level with six goals and one assist in 18 games, Troyes suffered back-to-back relegations. Having now returned to FC Metz, meanwhile also relegated to Ligue 2, Elisor could leave France for a new experience abroad. 

Finishing eight in the Portugal top flight last season, Famalicao have set their sights on the 25-year-old striker to strengthen their squad. According to L’Equipe, the Portuguese outfit has sent a €1.5M proposal to Metz for Elisor, who could join a seventh different club since 2020. 

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Relegated to Ligue 2 following a defeat in the playoffs against AS Saint-Etienne, Metz are looking to strengthen their squad with the aim of taking the league by storm and coming straight back to Ligue 1, just like AJ Auxerre and Angers did last season. With Kévin N’Doram (28) having left the club following his contract expiry, Les Grenats are now in search of a new midfielder and are targeting Varane, who came off an inconsistent season with La Liga 2’s Sporting Gijon. 

Advantage QPR for Varane 

The 22-year-old midfielder has never managed to climb his manager’s pecking order since his arrival from Lens in the summer of 22, playing 40 games across both seasons. In 2023-24, while Gijon managed to qualify for the promotion playoffs before failing against Espanyol Barcelone, Varane enjoyed only five starts out of the 22 games he took part in, playing a nominal 702 minutes in total. Sporadic gametime, but enough to gather interest from both France and England. According to L’Equipe, Championship’s side Queens Park Rangers could have the edge on Varane’s deal, as they have submitted a €1.2M proposal to Gijon, with bonuses and a future sale percentage. Having to deal with a restricted budget due to the TV rights turmoil and their relegation to Ligue 2, Metz could have difficulties challenging QPR’s offer. 

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Monaco were reportedly leading the race to acquire the services of George Mikautadze with the Principality Champions League-playing club agreeing on a fee with Metz and a medical being scheduled. But the 23-year-old had set his sights on a return to his formative club Lyon, which successfully hijacked Monaco’s deal for George Mikautadze. Les Gones are set to pay €18.5m to Metz, which is less than the fee Monaco and Metz agreed upon. George Mikautadze, who impressed at the Euros with Georgia, has put pen to paper over a four-year deal with Pierre Sage’s side.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Mikautadze’s move back to Metz from Ajax was made permanent earlier this summer, however, the Georgia international was never going to remain with Les Grenats, especially after the club’s relegation back to Ligue 2. There had been fierce competition for striker’s signature, with multiple Ligue 1 clubs – and West Ham United – in the race. 

It was a race that had looked set to be won by AS Monaco, who had all but agreed terms with the player, reached an agreement with Metz, and scheduled a medical. He was expected in the Principality over the weekend or at the start of this week at the latest, however, Mikautadze has had his heart set on a move to Lyon, his city of birth. 

His decision has been made for some time and he only wanted to play for OL. An agreement between Les Gones and Metz has now been reached. Lyon will pay €18m (without bonuses), which is less than the fee that Monaco agreed with Les Grenats. The Georgia international will now leave Barcelona, where he is currently on holiday, and travel to Lyon on Tuesday in order to undergo a medical. He will then sign a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 club. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle