Seidu is currently taking part in the AFCON with Ghana, with whom he is to enter the competition tomorrow in a match against Egypt, but he remains one of the most consistent defenders in Ligue 1, having become Clermont’s defensive leader ever since the club obtained promotion from Ligue 2 back in 2021.

The 23-year-old would come to reinforce a struggling Rennes side, which ranks only 10th in the table after 18 games played, and is in dire need of reinforcements if they are to reach their end-of-season objectives. On the other hand, would leave a gaping hole in Clermont’s defence, as the club is currently 17th in the league, having the fifth-worst defence in Ligue 1.

GFFN | Alfred Lalande

Chirivella has played through illness and injury before for Nantes, notably at the end of last season, where he rushed his return and played through the pain in order to secure Nantes’ Ligue 1 status. He did the same against Clermont on Sunday, although on this occasion, he did not make the same positive game-changing impact. 

Chirivella started, but with Gourvennec’s side 1-0 down at half-time, the Spaniard surprisingly didn’t make a return after the break. Speaking in a post-match press conference, the manager revealed the reason for Chirivella’s withdrawal. “He was ill. He had Covid. He thought he could start, but as we went through the first half, he wasn’t good, so we decided to take him off,” said Gourvennec. 

Despite a Florent Mollet equaliser early in the second half, Jim Allevinah netted a late winner for Clermont, giving Pascal Gastien’s side a crucial victory that sees them leapfrog Lorient and into 17th position. Nantes are now 13th and just two points ahead of Olympique Lyonnais, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Clermont Foot are currently bottom of Ligue 1 and are enduring a tough season, however, like last season, Seidu’s individual performances have caught the eyes of recruiters. Rennes are looking to overhaul their squad this January after a poor start to the season, and they have identified their defence as an area that needs strengthening. 

As revealed by Foot Mercato, Les Rennais are pushing hard to sign AS Monaco’s Guillermo Maripán, whilst at the same time, trying to convince Clermont Foot to part ways with their star defender. Rennes’ first bid of €7m plus €3m in bonuses was not enough to convince Les Clermontois to part ways with Seidu. 

A second bid, this time worth €9m up-front, with no bonuses included, has now been submitted. However, just like the first offer, this offer is expected to be rejected, as it falls below Clermont’s valuation for a player, whose contract runs until the summer of 2027.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Virginius signed for Lille OSC as a promising prospect from Sochaux back in the summer of 2022, however, the France U20 international has yet to carve himself out a place in Fonseca’s plans. He has made just three substitute appearances in all competitions this season. 

Clermont beat significant competition to Virginius signing

However, despite his inability, as of yet, to break into Paulo Fonseca’s plans, the club weren’t willing to let him leave on the cheap. As reported by Foot Mercato, Les Dogues rejected a bid from BSC Young Boys, who offered to take the winger on loan before making the move permanent for €4.5m. 

An offer from Clermont Foot was also rejected, however, according to L’Équipe, Virginius will now join the Ligue 1 strugglers. It will be a simple loan deal until the end of the season, and the move will not include an option to make the move permanent. Clermont have beaten Young Boys, Sunderland, FC Lorient and AS Saint-Étienne to the signing of the promising winger, who is in need of game time to further his development. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Maurer broke onto the scene towards the end of last season, starting six games and making four substitute appearances as Pascal Gastien’s side finished the season in style. However, collectively, those performances have not been replicated this season. Clermont are instead bottom of Ligue 1, and in such circumstances, the development of youth players is not always prioritised. 

Maurer seems to be a victim of this context. He has made only five substitute appearances all season, two of which have come in added time. As a result, the attacking midfielder is set for a spell away from Clermont. According to Foot Mercato, a loan switch to Ligue 2 side Dunkerque is imminent. Dunkerque are currently embroiled in their own relegation battle. The move will not include an option to make the move permanent. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Despite his multinational experience – he played in Sweden, Belgium, Portugal and his native Brazil before joining Clermont – the move to France was initially a daunting prospect for the full-back. In an interview with GFFN, he explained that the physical demands of Ligue 1 were unlike anything he’d ever seen before:

“Coming into the league, I had to adapt myself because of how physical the league is, and the players are so good technically. You have to be 100% concentrated all the time, if you lose focus for even one minute then you concede and you lose the game from that.”

Second-season syndrome for Borges?

That shortcoming was made clear in his sending-off against Lorient at the start of last season. Since then, though, Borges has been a standout performer as the left wing-back of Pascal Gastien’s five-man defensive set-up. His all-action skill set makes him a unique profile in the Ligue 1 landscape – from his eye for an interception, to his deceptively strong aerial presence, to his willingness to gallop all the way into the box to create chances.

All of those elements came together during a purple patch this past spring, which saw Clermont go seven games unbeaten – a run which included wins over Lyon and Nice. However, like the rest of the team, the 27-year-old has struggled to hit those heights in the new season. He was also handed a two-game suspension for showing the middle finger to opposition fans during an incident-ridden match against Montpellier.

Clearly, though, the self-doubt that initially hit Borges on his arrival in France has now dissipated. While the more immediate concern will be to turn Clermont’s ailing form around – they sit rock bottom of the league at the time of writing – Borges knows that he can aim high. “I doubted myself before coming to the league, but now I want to see where I can go. When you make the team of the season, you want to keep improving to see how far you can go.”

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin

The trio were suspended last time out, but they return as Clermont look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Ligue 1 table. Captain Gonalons is expected to make a return to the starting XI, although Caufriez and Konaté may have to settle for places on the bench. However, Clermont will be without Florent Ogier and Johan Gastien, who both miss out through injury. 

Clermont are struggling for goals this season, and they will be reliant on Muhammed Cham and Grejohn Kyei to up their output if they are to get themselves out of trouble. The latter looks set to get the nod ahead of Shamar Nicholson on Sunday. 

Clermont Foot likely lineup v Marseille

Mory Diaw; Neto Borges, Alidu Seidu, Andy Pelmard, Mehdi Zeffane; Habib Keita, Maxime Gonalons; Elbasan Rashani, Muahmmed Cham, Jim Allevinah, Grejohn Kyei. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Having stumbled upon a winning formula, Gennaro Gattuso looks set to keep his starting XI consistent when Clermont visit on Sunday. Aligning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Vitinha together in a 3-5-2 has reaped rewards in recent matches and the Italian technician is therefore set to once again start the pair up front. 

One difference from the 4-2 victory over Lorient will be the absence of Clauss at RWB. He will be replaced by Panama international Murillo. There will be few, if any more changes to the side that have hit form just before the international break. Valentin Rongier and Joaquín Correa remain sidelined with injuries.

Marseille likely lineup v Clermont

Pau Lopez; Leonardo Balerdi, Samuel Gigot, Chancel Mbemba; Renan Lodi, Amine Harit, Jordan Veretout, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Michael Murillo; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vitinha. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

David surprisingly remained at Lille over the summer, despite incessant links with a departure, however, the Canadian forward has struggled for form for much of the season. As a result, he has seen his place in the starting XI challenged by Yusuf Yazici. The Turkish had regularly started ahead of David prior to the latter’s return to form. 

David will once again lead the line against Clermont. Paulo Fonseca isn’t blessed with a wealth of other options with Ivan Cavaleiro injured and Adam Ounas out of the match through illness. Angel Gomes will therefore likely start as a No.10 with Rémy Cabella on the left and Edon Zhegrova on the right. 

Lille likely lineup v Clermont

Lucas Chevalier; Ismaily, Alexsandro, Leny Yoro, Tiago Santos; Nabil Bentaleb, Benjamin André; Rémy Cabella, Angel Gomes, Edon Zhegrova; Jonathan David. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The manager from Auvergne was sent off as tempers flared between Lens’ Elye Wahi and Clermont’s Alidu Seidu in which both players were subsequently sent off, Wahi for a second yellow and Seidu for a straight red.

Montpellier’s Der Zakarian also sanctioned

A furious Gastien was then also shown a red for his reaction and he was up in the stands when his side faced Montpellier HSC at an empty Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday night. 

Montpellier manager Michel Der Zakarian has also been suspended for a match following his sending-off against their 1-1 draw at home to Clermont. Clermont currently sit 17th in the league, two points adrift of safety with just two wins this season. 

GFFN | Finn Entwistle