French Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes close to signing Morocco forward Youssef El-Arabi

FC Nantes are finalizing a move for Morocco international Youssef El-Arabi in the ongoing summer transfer.

The French Ligue 1 outfit are keen on strengthening their squad for the 2025/26 football campaign, with the 38-year-old edging closer to a move.

Youssef El-Arabi is returning to the Ligue 1 ahead of the new campaign, with Nantes reaching an agreement for the signing of the forward.

The Morocco international will join as a free agent following his departure from APOEL Nicosia at the expiration of his contract.

The journeyman striker has played for multiple clubs in Europe and Asia, having represented Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal and Qatar’s Al-Duhail SC, as well as Olympiacos and Granada.

At Olympiacos, El-Arabi helped the Greek club to European success, winning the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League final.

For a striker who looks to be in the twilight of his career, joining Nantes sees the striker returning to the country where he kick-started his professional journey.

This will be his first time back in Ligue 1 since leaving his formative club SM Caen in 2011. El-Arabi will sign a one-year contract as he looks to provide his experience to Luís Castro’s squad.