At just 21 years old, Quentin Merlin is already a veteran of FC Nantes. This homegrown talent from the club’s training center has already played 61 matches in Ligue 1. With FCN, he has experienced it all, from fighting to avoid relegation to winning the Coupe de France and playing in the Europa League. After a strong start in 2021, injuries and the search for his best position have slowed him down.
Capable of playing in midfield, it is as a left-back that the Pornic native thrives the most. “I am versatile and will give my best in midfield if the coach calls me there. But I love the left-back position. I am starting to feel more comfortable defensively and find a lot of reference points,” he explained recently. In fact, it is in this position that he has played the most professional matches (42 matches). Under the guidance of Pierre Aristouy, Merlin is thriving this season. His recent match against Montpellier, where he recovered 16 balls, demonstrated his constant activity on the left side. Although he still has flaws in his game, Merlin must maintain this freshness and rely on his qualities (game vision, technique).
Leipzig, Naples, and PSG are all on the lookout for this young talent. At just 21 years old, playing in a position with high demand, and having become a regular in the France U21 team, he is naturally attracting interest. Last summer, Lyon and OGC Nice were interested, and this interest has only grown. According to our sources, RB Leipzig, who are always keen on Ligue 1 players, have contacted FC Nantes to inquire about his availability, with his contract running until June 2026.
With the prospect of participating in the Olympics, a departure this winter seems unlikely. However, with Napoli and PSG also showing interest, the bidding war is likely to intensify. Although for now Quentin Merlin is staying at Nantes, the situation could change rapidly, especially with the winter transfer window approaching. FC Nantes, who set the bar at €10M last summer, may have to raise their asking price to ward off interested clubs. But it remains to be seen if that will be enough.
