DR Congo’s Meschack Elia faces uncertain future as Nantes exit looms

Meschack Elia’s stint with FC Nantes appears to be drawing to a close, with the Congolese international unlikely to remain at the French club beyond the summer.

On loan from Swiss side Young Boys Bern since January, Elia has yet to secure a permanent move and has made it clear he does not wish to return to Switzerland.

Elia, 26, joined Nantes during the winter transfer window in a bid to revive his form following a difficult period in the Swiss Super League. However, his short spell in Ligue 1 has failed to deliver the impact both he and the club had hoped for.

The forward featured in just eight league matches and registered a single goal — a strike against RC Lens on Matchday 23 — raising questions about whether Nantes will trigger the purchase option included in his loan agreement.

Sources close to the club indicate that a decision on Elia’s future is still pending, but the current signs do not favour a permanent stay at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

With Nantes yet to make their intentions clear, the striker is already exploring alternatives as he prepares for what is expected to be a busy transfer window.

What complicates the situation further is Elia’s desire to leave Young Boys Bern, the club that still holds his contract. Despite previously being a key figure for the Swiss champions, the DR Congo international is reportedly determined not to return to Bern under any circumstances.

This stance has sparked fresh interest from other clubs across Europe, with his representatives now working to find a suitable destination.

Elia is attracting interest from multiple clubs in the Turkish Süper Lig. Eyüpspor and Kayserispor are both said to have included him on their summer transfer shortlist as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

The Turkish league could present Elia with a chance to relaunch his career in a competitive environment, offering regular minutes and a fresh start.

In addition to interest from Turkey, Russian Premier League sides Dynamo Moscow and Rostov have also reportedly expressed an interest in securing his services.

While no formal offers have been tabled, initial contact is understood to have taken place as clubs assess the financial and sporting feasibility of a deal.

Elia, who has represented DR Congo at international level and was once regarded as one of the most promising talents in African football, is now at a crossroads.

His next move will be crucial in determining whether he can recapture the form that once made him a standout performer in Switzerland and a regular for the Leopards.

As the transfer window unfolds, Elia is expected to weigh his options carefully. His performances in France may not have reignited his career as planned, but interest from abroad suggests that clubs still believe in his potential.

Whether he heads to Turkey, Russia, or elsewhere, one thing is clear: Meschack Elia’s time in both Nantes and Bern is likely coming to an end, and a fresh chapter awaits.