Montpellier are now looking to replace Stephy Mavididi, as the former Arsenal academy forward edges closer to Leicester City.
L’Equipe (via GFFN) report that Montpellier are in advanced negotiations with Lillestrom over the signing of Akor Adams, a Nigerian forward currently playing in the Norwegian top flight.
Montpellier’s pursuit of Adams is reportedly driven by the expectation that they’re set to lose Stephy Mavididi and Elye Wahi this summer, with Mavididi now on the verge of a move.
Fabrizio Romano previously reported that a deal was “very advanced”, with personal terms are already on the verge of being agreed upon, and Montpellier in direct contact with Leicester to finalise the transfer.
The £6.9m transfer still hasn’t been confirmed at the time of writing, but it’s not expected to be long now. The player has already undergone a medical, holding tests on Saturday.
25-year-old Mavididi spent more than seven years with Arsenal as a youth player, before leaving for Juventus in 2018.
After a couple of seasons playing for Juventus’ second team and one debut appearance in Serie A, the striker moved on to Ligue 1, playing for Dijon and then Montpellier.
There have long been rumours of a return to England. Last summer, L’Equipe reported that Mavididi had asked to leave Montpellier, and he was hoping to return to the Premier League.
At the time, the likes of West Ham United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Southampton, and Everton all reportedly made contact over a potential move.
Unfortunately, the forward then picked up an injured in early August, and he didn’t return to action until after the transfer window closed.
As well as centre-forward, Mavididi is capable of playing on both wings, and he was most often used on the left with Montpellier.
With Leicester City dropping down to the Championship for now, perhaps they could be the perfect club to get Mavididi a consistent run of games and an eventual return to the Premier League.