Ligue 1 Daily Report - 2026-09-28: Le Havre reject reported approach for free-agent Sterling

Le Havre rejected the opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling in recent days, according to reports published on Monday. Foot Mercato reported that Sterling’s representatives offered the 31-year-old winger to two Ligue 1 clubs, including Le Havre, who are currently bottom of the table. Sterling became a free agent after his short spell at Feyenoord ended without a permanent move. The former Manchester City, Chelsea and England player has been searching for a club after loan spells at Arsenal and Feyenoord failed to restore his previous standing.

A move to France was reportedly being considered as Sterling looked for regular football outside England, but Le Havre decided against pursuing the transfer. Tribuna.com reported that the club believed it already had enough options in Sterling’s position, while another unnamed Ligue 1 side also declined the proposal. The reports place Sterling’s future in further uncertainty as he continues training individually. Any move would also come against the backdrop of his ongoing legal case in England, after he admitted dangerous driving and possessing nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation.

Newcastle United are monitoring Rennes centre-back Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal ahead of a possible move in 2027, according to a report published on Monday. The 20-year-old Morocco international has attracted attention through his development in Ligue 1 since joining Rennes in 2024. He was developed at the Mohammed VI Football Academy before signing his first professional contract in France. Ait Boudlal also spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Amiens, part of a progression that has established him as one of Morocco’s promising young defenders.

The reported interest reflects Newcastle’s assessment of future options in central defence rather than a confirmed transfer approach. Ait Boudlal’s physical profile and right-footed defending have helped build his reputation, while The Guardian previously included him among notable young players born in 2006. Rennes therefore have a highly regarded player whose continued progress could attract further Premier League attention. Any negotiations would depend on Newcastle converting their monitoring into a formal approach, with the report indicating that the club is considering defensive recruitment for the year ahead.

Juventus are monitoring Lyon midfielder Tyler Morton, according to a report cited by Yahoo Sports on Monday. Morton joined Lyon from Liverpool for around €18 million and has since developed through regular senior football in France. The 23-year-old is now being considered by Juventus as they assess midfield options, with the Italian club reportedly valuing his composure in possession, game awareness and ability to move the ball quickly. His move to Lyon gave him a more established role after his time at Liverpool, and his progress has now brought renewed attention from outside Ligue 1.

The report also suggested that Liverpool could be drawn into the situation because of Morton’s former club and his development since leaving Anfield. Juventus are said to view him as a different type of midfield option from other names under consideration, combining room for improvement with senior experience. There is no indication of a formal offer or agreement, so the story remains at the monitoring stage. For Lyon, the interest underlines the value of the €18 million investment and the importance of Morton’s continued development in France.

OGC Nice won their first Ligue 1 match of the season before the September international break, according to The New York Times on Monday. The result came after Nice had avoided relegation by the narrowest of margins last season, leaving the club with a difficult starting point under INEOS ownership. Nice’s situation formed part of a wider review of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s football portfolio, which also includes Manchester United and Lausanne-Sport. United had made an underwhelming start in the Premier League, while Lausanne were bottom of the Swiss Super League with one win from nine matches.

Nice’s early results have therefore become part of a broader question about whether INEOS can reproduce its success in other sports across its football operations. The French club’s first victory offered some relief, but it did not erase the concerns created by last season’s relegation battle. For Nice, the immediate objective is to build enough consistency to avoid another campaign dominated by survival concerns. The club’s progress will also be watched as an indicator of how effectively the INEOS structure can support teams operating in different leagues and competitive environments.