Mustafa Mohamed returns to Nantes training after unexplained pre-season absence

Egypt striker Mustafa Mohamed has finally reported back to Nantes, training away from the first team amid growing tension over his future and the club’s refusal to let him leave for free.

The 26-year-old returned to work on Wednesday morning after weeks of unexplained absence from pre-season, according to French outlet Ouest-France, and was put through an individual training session.

Nantes, who were relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of last season, have instructed Mohamed to train with the club’s reserve side while his situation is resolved.

Club anger as Nantes ‘suspects hidden strategy’

French sports daily L’Equipe has reported that Nantes are convinced Mohamed’s absence is part of an attempt to engineer a free transfer.

The paper wrote: “نانت يشك في اي لدى مصطفى محمد دفاعا خفيا لتغيبه، ولن يتركه يرحل مجانا.” (“Nantes suspect that Mustafa Mohamed has a hidden strategy behind his absence and will not let him leave for free.”)

L’Equipe added that while Nantes have not fixed a minimum asking price for the forward, they have also not received any concrete offers for him.

The same report stressed that club president Waldemar Kita had been a strong supporter of Mohamed’s profile when the striker was first signed, but the relationship has since deteriorated.

As a first disciplinary step, the club began sending the player a daily letter formally notifying him that he would not be paid his salary during his period of absence, the newspaper said.

From key signing to reserve-team exile

Mohamed joined Nantes from Galatasaray for €6.5m after an initial loan, and has one year left on his contract. The deal is due to expire in the summer of 2027, meaning he is now entering what is usually a pivotal period for decisions on a player’s future value.

L’Equipe concluded in its report: “في حالة عودة مصطفى محمد سيشارك مع فريق الرديف، ولا توجد نية لدى النادي للتراجع عن الموقف الحالي.” (“In the event of Mustafa Mohamed’s return, he will feature with the reserve team, and there is no intention within the club to back down from the current stance.”)

That position appears to have been enforced immediately on his comeback, with Ouest-France stating that he will continue to work with the reserves for the foreseeable future.

Since arriving three years ago, Mohamed has played 136 matches for Nantes in all competitions, scoring 29 goals. He was viewed as one of the club’s main attacking threats during their battle against relegation.

‘We don’t know where he is’ – coach’s public frustration

Before Mohamed’s reappearance, head coach Antoine Kombouare’s successor, Michel, had publicly voiced his frustration over the player’s absence.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of a pre-season friendly against Lorient, Michel said: “لا نعرف مكان مصطفى محمد، نتصل به واحيانا لا يجيب.” (“We don’t know where Mustafa Mohamed is, we call him and sometimes he doesn’t answer.”)

Nantes’ preparations for life in Ligue 2 began on 24 June, three weeks before Mohamed finally reported back. The club won their first pre-season friendly 5-0 against third-tier side Fleury.

They are set to face Lorient at 17:00 local time on Saturday in their second warm-up match for the new campaign.

Relegation backdrop raises stakes

Nantes’ hardline stance is unfolding against the backdrop of a traumatic relegation. The club finished second from bottom in Ligue 1 last season, sending them into the second division and putting financial pressures under sharper focus.

With just a year left on Mohamed’s deal and no offers yet on the table, the club risks losing a significant investment for nothing if the impasse continues.

For now, Nantes appear determined to assert control – keeping Mohamed out of the first-team picture, cutting his pay during his absence and insisting they will not be pressured into releasing him for free, even as he finally resumes training.