FCNantes finds itself at a crossroads, with the Kita family seemingly wanting to hasten the sale of the club. According to information from L'Équipe, a memorandum of understanding was signed at the end of September with PhenixSportsInvest, the group of investors led by PauloTavares, for a value of around one hundred million euros excluding bonuses. However, the transaction is not yet concluded, as it must still go through several regulatory stages, including the examination of the DNCG and the approval of the social and economic committee (CSE) of the club.
The Kita family would have voluntarily limited the information communicated to the CSE, fearing the leaks of information which often affected Jonelière. EmmanuelMerceron, a Nantes insider, explained that the club's leaders had chosen not to disclose details in order to avoid sensitive elements being relayed by the press. This strategy, however, aroused opposition from the CSE, which gave an unfavorable opinion to the takeover proposed by Paulo Tavares. Staff representatives have expressed concerns about the solidity of the project, job security and the future of the club, which complicates communication around the operation.
At the same time, the DNCG requires buyers to put in place solid financial guarantees. In particular, she requested that twenty-five million euros be blocked in a dedicated account before continuing to study the file. If these guarantees are not considered sufficient, the operation could be delayed or even abandoned. The timetable therefore remains uncertain, and the Kita family must still overcome several obstacles before being able to complete the sale.
At this stage, FCNantes is awaiting the final validation of the DNCG and the decision of the CSE. Although the memorandum of understanding is in place, the club has yet to officially change hands. Supporters and stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, which could determine the future of the club in the coming days.