In 2007, following Nantes' relegation from the first division, a host of clubs, including Deportivo de La Coruña, Getafe CF, UD Almería, Birmingham City and Newcastle United expressed an interest in the player.
In 2007, following Nantes' relegation to a lower division, several teams, including Deportivo de La Coruña, Getafe CF, UD Almería, Birmingham City and Newcastle United showed interest in signing the player for their own squad.