Jean-Philippe Gbamin: CSKA Sofia linked with move for Metz defender

Ivory Coast and France centre-back Jean-Philippe Gbamin of FC Metz is being linked with a summer move to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, with the 30-year-olds contract situation in France raising the possibility of a free-agent switch.

Reports in Bulgaria and France have flagged CSKA Sofias interest after the efbet Liga club identified experienced defensive options ahead of the new campaign. The talks are at rumour stage, with the probability of a deal currently listed as ? and no agreement yet in place between the clubs.

Gbamin, who is valued at 2.00m on Transfermarkt, joined Metz from FC Zurich on 15 July 2025 and has been operating primarily as a right-footed centre-back in Ligue 2. Metz have not publicly disclosed the length of his deal and his contract expiry is listed as unknown, leaving open the possibility that CSKA could move for him either at a modest fee or, if it lapses, as a free agent.

The 1.86m defender, born in San-Pedro on 25 September 1995, has rebuilt his career in France after a period without a club following his release from Everton in September 2023. He featured for USL Dunkerque from November 2023, then FC Nantes and Zurich, earning a move back to Metz, where he previously played early in his professional career.

Gbamins recent form has kept him in the shop window. In Metzs final Ligue 2 outing of the 2025-26 season a 1-1 draw against FC Nantes on 11 May 2026 he completed the full 90 minutes in central defence, helping limit his former club to few clear chances from open play.

Having already appeared in Ligue 1, the Bundesliga with Mainz, the Premier League with Everton, Russias top flight with CSKA Moscow and Turkeys Super Lig with Trabzonspor, a move to CSKA Sofia would add Bulgaria to a notably varied CV and offer another test of his resilience and reputation at the top level if the transfer materialises.