Man City among Premier League clubs chasing Ligue 1 defender

Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table after an emphatic 6-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. 

Jeremy Doku stole the show at The Etihad, scoring the opener before providing the assist for City’s next four goals, before Nathan Ake added the sixth.

The result moves the Citizens up to top spot, although Tottenham Hotspur will regain the lead if they beat London rivals Chelsea on Monday evening.

Off the pitch, City are reportedly keeping tabs on a Ligue 1 defender.

As reported by 90min, City are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in Nantes full-back Quentin Merlin.

The 21-year-old has impressed of late, and it is claimed that the Citizens are monitoring the player with a view to potentially making a move to sign him.

Merlin has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs

Merlin is a product of Nantes’ youth academy and has made 73 appearances across all competitions for the club.

The left-back, who can also play in a more advanced wing-back role, helped Nantes to lift the Coupe de France last year.

It is also claimed that West Ham United are interested in the player, as well as Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Napoli and Celtic.

Merlin has started all 11 of Nantes’ Ligue 1 matches so far this term, having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season during which he made a total of 29 appearances across all competitions.

His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, which puts the French side under very little pressure to sell and would therefore likely give them the advantage during any potential negotiations over a deal.