Football
Exclusive: Blackburn Poised to Let French Prospect Exaucé Mafoumbi Go to Free Up ESC Slot
Exauce Mafoumbi, the talented Frenchman signed by Blackburn Rovers last year, is rumored to be leaving the club. Despite high expectations, he has yet to make a first-team appearance. Manager Valerian Ismail needs an international work permit spot for a new signing. Mafoumbi's lack of progress has led to frustration, with only two goals in 14 under-21 appearances. He made a move to Lierse SK but has failed to impress, putting his future at Rovers in doubt.
Photo credit: Blackburn Rovers FC
Exaucé Mafoumbi is facing the Blackburn Rovers exit door just a year after signing for the club, SportsBoom sources can reveal.
The talented Frenchman, 20, moved to Ewood Park from Ligue 1 Nantes last summer. But he has failed to make his mark in Lancashire and is yet to make a first-team appearance for Rovers.
Rovers’ boss Valerian Ismail needs to free up an international work permit space in his squad if he is to scoop one of his top targets this summer.
And it is understood that the French youngster would be the player to make way.
Mafoumbi has been tipped with having a big future in the game, but SportsBoom sources have been told Ismail is looking at the immediate project in front of him at the club as he plots Rovers’ play-off push this season.
New Horizons?
A starlet for Nantes’ under-19s, where he averaged a goal every 94 minutes, Mafoumbi described his move to England last summer as “life-changing."
However, SportsBoom sources understand the player is frustrated at his lack of progression since making the move.
An undeniable talent, it is understandable that it would take a young player from the continent time to find their feet in a new country.
The player has shown glimpses of his talent, but just two goals in 14 appearances in the under-21s has failed to impress the Rovers’ hierarchy.
Mafoumbi made a deadline-day move to Belgian second-tier club Lierse SK during the winter transfer window last season in order to gain valuable first team experience.
But he has since failed to force his way into Ismail’s reckoning heading into the new campaign.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
A staunch traditionalist, he’s unlikely to share your enthusiasm if you believe The Hundred is the future of Test cricket.