This summer, Kylian Mbappé became the majority shareholder of Stade Malherbe de Caen, which will play in Ligue 2 next season. Owner of 80% of the shares of the Normandy club, the new Real Madrid striker hopes to be able to help SMC strengthen significantly during the off-season to return to the elite of French football.
It is unclear what the exact involvement of Europe’s youngest professional club owner is in the transfer window, but a well-known name in French football could join D’Ornano shortly. According to information from L’Equipe, Yann M’Vila, the former French international midfielder, could arrive in Caen before the resumption of the Ligue 2 season.
The first “big name”?
Having played for Rennes, Kazan, Inter Milan, Sunderland, AS Saint-Etienne, Olympiakos and recently West Brom, M’Vila is free and open to the idea of returning to France. If we had seen him do a few sets to discuss his discussions with OM and OL in particular in recent months, it is on the Caen side that the Amiens native could bounce back.
At 34, M’Vila has had an up-and-down career that has seen him go from being a great hope for French football in midfield to playing somewhat marginally and forced to play outside the biggest leagues. His arrival, if confirmed, could convince players with a CV as solid as his to join the project led by Kylian Mbappé and his clan. Free of any contract, Yann M’Vila will only have to come to an agreement with the Calvados club on a salary level before he can officially be a Caen player.
As for the club’s management, Mbappé is expected to appoint Gérard Prêcheur, the former coach of OL and PSG women’s team, as sporting director.
