Kevin Carlos has rejected an initial approach from Preston North End, dealing a blow to the Championship club’s hopes of securing the OGC Nice forward this summer. The 25-year-old Spaniard has also turned down advances from Turkish side Samsunspor, indicating a reluctance to move to either England’s second tier or the Süper Lig.
The rejections come as Nice attempt to streamline their squad and improve their financial position. The French club are actively seeking to decrease their wage bill and raise transfer funds to reinvest in new signings, with Carlos high on their list of departures despite having signed him just twelve months ago.
Difficult debut season
Carlos arrived at the Allianz Riviera from Swiss club FC Basel last summer in a €6 million deal, but he struggled to adapt to Ligue 1 football. The centre-forward failed to score in 23 league appearances during the campaign, though he did manage two goals in the UEFA Europa League.
This lack of domestic productivity has forced Nice to reconsider their investment, particularly given the player’s significant wages. The club had hoped to recoup a portion of the transfer fee, but Carlos’s refusal to engage with Preston or Samsunspor has complicated their efforts to find a suitable buyer.
Wider squad clear-out
Carlos forms part of a broader exodus planned at Nice. The club are also desperate to offload Terem Moffi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at FC Porto, and Mohamed-Ali Cho, who has attracted interest from local rivals AS Monaco.
For Preston North End, the rejection represents a setback in their search for attacking reinforcements ahead of the new Championship season. The Lancashire club had identified Carlos as a potential target given his European experience and the possibility of securing his services at a reduced price due to Nice’s financial constraints.
However, with Carlos’s entourage having firmly declined their initial approach, Preston must now look elsewhere. Nice face a race against time to find a taker for the striker before the transfer window closes, though his apparent preference for remaining in a top-tier league may limit their options considerably.