Younes Kaboul has been linked with a return to France with Nantes, just days after Watford’s head coach Javi Gracia appeared to cast doubt on his future at Vicarage Road.

Gracia confirmed in his press conference before the Hornets’ game against Burnley on Friday that Kaboul was fit but not training with the first team and his future was set to be discussed ‘in the next few days.’

Reports in France are now claiming that Nantes are among several Ligue 1 clubs who are interested in signing the centre-back, whose contract with the Golden Boys is due to expire next summer.

Nantes finished in ninth place in Ligue 1 last season, but have lost both of their opening games in the league so far.

Kaboul joined Watford from Sunderland in August 2016 but his time at Vicarage Road has been marred by injury, with the 32-year-old making just 26 appearances for the club.

The French defender missed the majority of last season after limping off during the Hornets’ 2-0 win over Southampton back in September and his time in Hertfordshire appears to be coming to an end, with Watford well-stock for centre-backs.

Craig Cathcart and Christian Kabasele have established themselves as Gracia’s first choice pairing at the back and the Spaniard appeared to cast doubt on Kaboul’s future when speaking on Friday.

The Watford head coach said: “Kaboul is not training with us in this moment with the team. He’s fit. But we will see in the next few days what will happen with his future. In this moment, what I can say is that he’s fit. But he’s not training with the team.”