€12m transfer bid rejected for Aston Villa and Leicester City target

Inter Milan have reportedly had an offer turned down for a reported Aston Villa transfer target.

According to French paper Ouest-France, a bid of between €12m and €13m from Serie A champions Inter Milan was rejected by Nantes for centre-back Nathan Zeze.

Nantes reportedly have no intention to sell Zeze, and he is expected to have more of a prominent role in the team next season. They could change their stance if a bidding war takes place with several English clubs interested. In April, the French media said that Aston Villa and Leicester City had hoped to sign him.

Aston Villa and Inter Milan of course can offer Zeze the opportunity to play in the Champions League, if a bidding war does take place. Leicester City are back in the Premier League but might be limited to what they can do in the transfer market because of Financial Fair Play restrictions. Zeze’s club Nantes, could face some financial difficulties over a lack of a TV deal for Ligue One according to the Guardian.

The 19-year-old made his French football debut at only 17, and despite battling against relegation, he became a regular feature in Nantes' team as they avoided the drop. He made 14 appearances for the senior team last season, with most coming from the end of January onwards.

Zeze who is still a teenager stands at an impressive six foot and two inches, and still has time to grow, in a position where height is most useful. In mid-April, he committed his long-term future to Nantes by signing a lengthy deal, which runs until the summer of 2028.

As a result of Zeze's new contract, Nantes can demand a premium for a player that has many years ahead of him. Nates might look at the £52.2m that Manchester United paid to Lille for Leny Yoro as a reason to value Zeze so highly.