Bournemouth are weighing up a move for Nantes centre-back Nathan Zeze as they look to fill the gap left by the departure of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid.
The Premier League side are actively identifying defensive reinforcements following Huijsen’s confirmed switch to La Liga, with Zeze emerging as a primary candidate.
Zeze, who is of Ivorian descent, has attracted increasing attention in recent months thanks to his performances in Ligue 1 and with France’s U21 national team.
The 19-year-old has featured prominently for FC Nantes this season, showcasing a maturity and composure beyond his years in the heart of defence.
His blend of physicality, tactical awareness, and technical ability has reportedly impressed scouts from the south coast club.
Bournemouth’s sporting director, Tiago Pinto, is understood to be a long-time admirer of Zeze, having tracked the player’s development during his previous role with Serie A side AS Roma.
That familiarity has strengthened Zeze’s candidacy as the Cherries consider potential additions to their backline ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Huijsen, a Spain international, completed his €50 million transfer to Real Madrid last week, bringing his time at the Vitality Stadium to a close after a standout season.
His departure has prompted Bournemouth to act swiftly to avoid disruption to their defensive stability, with the club keen to integrate a long-term successor before the start of pre-season.
Zeze has been scouted on multiple occasions by Bournemouth’s recruitment team during the current campaign, and formal discussions are expected to follow should Nantes signal a willingness to negotiate.
With the player still under contract, a significant offer would likely be required to convince the French club to sell.
