UPDATE: Matt Miazga goes on loan with Nantes

French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter reports that Matt Miazga is close to joining Ligue 1 side Stade Malherbe Caen on a season-long loan. According to Matt Reed of NBC Sports, the deal “will be completed tomorrow” following a successful medical.

However, Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reports that Miazga might not end up in France:

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A source with knowledge of the situation cautioned that other clubs are also chasing Miazga and that “no final decision has been made” with regard to Caen’s offer. The source added that it’s likely there will be a final determination as to Miazga’s club future for 2018-19 “in the next 36 hours.”

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Miazga joined Premier League giants Chelsea on a four-and-a-half-year deal in 2016 after three seasons with the New York Red Bulls. He’s yet to break through at Stamford Bridge, but continues to show signs of steady improvement while playing with other clubs.

Miazga spent the previous two seasons on loan with Chelsea partner Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie. The 23-year old made 55 league appearances and scored three goals last year en route to a sixth place finish.

Caen finished the 2017-2018 Ligue 1 season in 16^th place, one point above the relegation zone. The Normandy-based club recently brought in a new manager, hiring Paris FC’s Fabien Mercadal in June. According to Get French FootballNews, Miazga would be a direct replacement for center back Damien Da Silva, who recently departed for Stade Rennais. Caen opens the upcoming season against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, August 12^th.

Despite having earned a mere seven caps at the senior level, Miazga is seen as an important piece of future U.S. national team back lines. At 23-years old, there’s still time for him to earn a spot with Chelsea, but that window is gradually closing. While he may not reach the heights some fans envisioned, most players would struggle to earn their place at the world’s top clubs. As long as Miazga continues to earn consistent playing time and puts in solid performances with the national team, then he should be a key piece of the USMNT during the 2022 and 2026 World Cup cycles.

***UPDATE***

After a few days and other reports of teams Miazga would join, he is reportedly going to France... though with Nantes not Caen.