Guingamp are edging closer to the signing of Nottingham Forest youngster Loic Mbe Soh, according to Le Telegramme. The 21-year-old will sign for the Ligue 2 outfit on a loan deal until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
It’s not been an easy couple of years for the Reds defender. He signed for the club in 2020 but has made just 11 first-team appearances; struggling with a number of injuries in the process.
The youngster has bags of potential though. Before he signed for the Reds he was part of the PSG academy and was nominated for the prestigious FIFA Golden Boy award.
Mbe Soh does have an appearance for the Reds to his name this season. He played the full 90 minutes as Forest defeated Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Now, Guingamp are set to bolster their ranks with the player. He will replace trusted defender Pierre Lemonnier who has damaged the cruciate ligaments in his knee and will be out for the remainder of the season.
Mbe Soh will join the club on loan for six months. The loan deal is set to be sanctioned once the transfer window opens and he will hope to help the club improve on their 11th place in Ligue 2.
Guingamp edging closer to Mbe Soh signing
This is a badly needed loan move for the youngster. Playing 11 games in just over two years wouldn’t have been in his mind when he chose to sign for the Reds when Sabri Lamouchi was in charge.
Shortly after he arrived, Chris Hughton replaced Lamouchi and he never really fancied him. He was often left on the bench and made just five appearances under the former Brighton manager during the 2020/21 campaign.
He has been a little bit unfortunate under Steve Cooper. The head coach has preferred experienced options such as Scott McKenna, Joe Worrall and Steve Cook during his time at the club.
As a result, he’s been down the pecking order and has actually made five appearances in the Premier League 2 for the under-21s this season.
This loan move looks ideal for the player. Admittedly some would have preferred a loan spell in England but at least he should get plenty of games under his belt with Lemonnier out injured.