Nantes and Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed is the first new name to emerge on deadline day as City keep their eyes peeled for striker opportunities late in the window.
L’Equipe report that the 26-year-old is not certain to stay in France, with City opening talks for him. He scored eight goals in Ligue 1 last season, having netted 19 times in 80 appearances in all competitions for Nantes across the past two seasons.
Like other strikers City have been linked to in recent weeks, Mohamed has a strong build and looks adept at holding up the ball with his back to goal, while also offering an aerial threat in the box. He’s got good defensive stats for a striker too.
But, he has not been the most prolific goal-scoring threat since joining Nantes. Perhaps that’s why he’s only been used as a substitute in their first two Ligue 1 matches of this campaign.
It seems Nantes are happy to sell. L’Equipe reported earlier this week that a Saudi Arabian club had had a €15m (£12.5m) offer accepted, only for Mohamed to turn down the move, the striker not keen on a switch to the Middle East. Since then, Wolves and Marseille have both been named as suitors.
If City are to do an incoming deal before the transfer window’s 11pm cut-off on Friday night, it will be for a forward, with the club ideally wanting to give Steve Cooper an alternative option alongside Jamie Vardy, Patson Daka, and Jordan Ayew. Previous deals have fallen through or proven too expensive, leaving City without a stand-out target going into the final few hours of the window.
Wolves’ Interest in Mostafa Mohamed
Wolves are in the market for new players in the coming days – and the club looking to have eyes on another striker.
Fans are slightly concerned at the moment, with Wolves having lost their first two Premier League games and not signed a new player for weeks.
Wolves got off to a positive start this summer, signing Rodrigo Gomes, Pedro Lima and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
But it has been all quiet recently, and supporters are urging the club to get busy. Wolves are in the market for new players, but appear to be operating under some restrictions again which is frustrating.
One player who does look as though he will be coming in is young defender Bastien Meupiyou, after an agreement was reached last week.
And Wolves appear to have eyes on one of his teammates at Nantes.
It has been reported by L’Equipe that Wolves are looking at a potential late swoop for striker Mostafa Mohamed.
The Egypt international has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. But the player has apparently made it known he is not interested in going there.
The unnamed Saudi club bid £12.6 million for Mohamed, which was accepted by Nantes. But the player has not given the move the green light.
Marseille and Wolves are reported to have sounded him out as a potential signing. The two clubs are said to be assessing whether a move could be feasible.
The 26-year-old scored eight goals in 29 games last term, and also supplied a couple of assists.
The star has been with Nantes since the summer of 2022, joining on loan initially from Galatasaray. He’s scored 19 goals in 87 appearances for the club, making seven assists.
Mohamed also had some international pedigree, scoring 12 goals in 37 caps for Egypt.
Wolves are running out of time to make additions and at this point, fans just hope that sporting director Matt Hobbs can pull one or two deals out of the bag.
Mohamed has not really been a prolific player in his career. But he does offer experience, has played in the French league and has international pedigree. He plays almost exclusively as a striker as well, which is arguably what Wolves need.
There is scope for Wolves signing a new striker. Strand Larsen is currently the only out-and-out number nine in the first-team, with Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan better used in other roles.
Earlier this year, Mohamed was described by Tunisian football legend Tarak Dhiab as ‘the best Arab striker in recent times’. The former African Footballer of the Year winner said (via KingFut): “We may see Mostafa next season in the English Premier League because he is physically strong and has improved technically, and he has started scoring many goals.
“He has scored seven goals with Nantes and is still improving. He is the future of Egyptian football as a centre-forward.”
Mohamed’s Move to the Premier League
Mostafa Mohamed (26) has been the subject of an approach from a Saudi Arabian club, and whilst he has rejected the interest from the Gulf State, he may yet leave FC Nantes this summer. According to a report from L’Équipe, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Olympique de Marseille have recently made enquiries about the Egyptian forward.
Whilst Nantes were quick to accept the €15m offer, lodged by an unnamed Saudi Arabian club, the player himself refused the move to the Middle East. The former Galatasaray forward could, however, still be set to depart the Beaujoire. Mohamed is also the subject of enquiries from Premier League side Wolves, as well as Marseille. The latter are back in the market for a striker following a serious injury to Faris Moumbagna.
Meanwhile, OGC Nice also bid for Mohamed earlier this month. However, this loan approach was rejected by Les Canaris. Nice now look set to sign Youssoufa Moukoko instead and are therefore considered to be out of the race to sign the Egypt international.
Mohamed’s Decision
Press reports confirmed today, Tuesday, that Mustafa Mohamed, the star of the French club Nantes, rejected an offer from the Saudi Roshen League to join him this summer.
The French newspaper “L’Equipe” said that Mustafa Mohamed rejected an offer from Saudi Al-Ahly to transfer to him because he wanted to continue in Europe.
The newspaper added that the Egyptian star also received inquiries from Marseille and Nice, but no official offers were presented to Nantes.
Mostafa Mohamed participated with his club Nantes In 81 matches, he scored 19 goals and made 7 goals.
Leicester City’s Interest in Mohamed
Leicester City have approached Ligue 1 side Nantes for their striker Mostafa Mohamed.
The newly promoted Foxes are trying to add goals to their squad as they are trying to build a team to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Steve Cooper’s side have brought in multiple new faces this summer and adding a striker is on their wish list as well.
26-year-old Egyptian striker Mohamed is a player they are claimed to be interested in signing now.
And according to French sports daily L’Equipe, they have made an approach to Nantes regarding the Egypt international.
The Foxes have started negotiating with the Ligue 1 club to explore the possibility of bringing him over to the King Power stadium.
It has been suggested that Mohamed is not certain to stay at the French club this summer; he joined them permanently last summer from Galatasaray.
Leicester City will be hoping to reach an agreement regarding the player by the end of the day.
Wolves and Marseille Enquire About Nantes’ Mostafa Mohamed
According to L’Equipe, one of France’s biggest newspapers, both Wolves and Olympique de Marseille have recently asked about signing the forward. He is said to have been subject of interest from a club in Saudi Arabia, but he turned down the move, however he isn't guaranteed to stay at Stade de la Beaujoire.
An offer of €15m was accepted by Nantes, and so that is what it could take to lure Mohamed away from Nantes. OGC Nice made a loan offer earlier in the transfer window, but that was rebuffed.
The 26-year-old has been playing in Europe for the last three years having initially joined Galatasaray on loan from Zamalek. He's been playing in France for the last two seasons, and has a record of 19 goals and seven assists in 82 games for Nantes.
Mohamed, who began his career in Egypt, has 12 goals in 37 games for his country. In Turkey, he grabbed 17 goals in 58 games, and got to play in the UEFA Europa League.
