Romain Molina’s critique casts doubt on FC Nantes sale and Kita’s €95m price

While the sale of FC Nantes appeared to be gathering speed, journalist Romain Molina has publicly questioned the credibility of the takeover dossier championed by Paulo Tavares, putting owner Waldemar Kita’s €95 million asking price under intense scrutiny.

Conflicting narratives on the deal

L’Équipe negotiations are "more than advanced" with a group of French and Portuguese investors backing Tavares. In contrast, Molina alleges the document he examined is riddled with approximations, errors and owner‑favourable wording.

He describes the dossier as a "fourre‑tout" compiled with the assistance of artificial intelligence, and says he will publish the material to let the facts speak for themselves.

Valuation gap and past projects

According to recent reports, Kita is seeking roughly €95 million for the club, yet a competing proposal in the €30‑40 million range has been floated, highlighting a stark disparity between the owner’s expectations and the figures presented by Tavares’s team.

Paulo Tavares, a former agent and sports adviser, has previously been linked to failed takeover attempts at AS Saint‑Étienne – the "Panthère Noire" project – and a stalled acquisition of Valenciennes alongside III Sport Invest and Éric Besson.

The contrast between L’Équipe’s upbeat assessment and Molina’s severe criticism underscores how far the FC Nantes sale remains from certainty, with the owner’s willingness to accept a €95 million price now being openly challenged.

If Molina follows through on releasing the documents, the ensuing revelations could clarify the true nature of the investor consortium and determine whether the proposed takeover can survive the growing doubts.