Nantes have consulted lawyers to explore legal options to ensure Cardiff City pay the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala, a source close to the French club revealed Wednesday.
Sala, 28, was travelling from France to join up with his new Premier League club in a light aircraft on January 21 when it went missing close to the Channel Islands.
According to the source, the first instalment of the 17-million-euro (US$19.3 million) deal for the Argentine striker has yet to be paid, despite the transfer being finalised before the accident.
Nantes would also consider taking the case to FIFA, the source added. The club has not yet responded to a request for comment by AFP.
According to BBC Wales, Nantes have given Cardiff a 10-day ultimatum over the first payment of between five and six million euros.
A source at Cardiff told British media that the Welsh club will honour the contract but only once they have clarified "all the facts." Cardiff are said to be "surprised" with the timing of the demand so soon after the tragedy.
There appears to be considerable tension between the clubs. Regional newspaper Ouest-France quoted an anonymous source at Nantes calling Cardiff's attitude "hypocritical," accusing them of "wanting to buy time."
The missing plane, which was also carrying 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson, was found on Sunday after a private search organised by the Sala family.
A body was spotted in underwater images of the wreckage and Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an operation to try and recover it.
Sala, who signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Cardiff, was the club's record signing. The two clubs had agreed on a payout in three instalments, which is relatively common in big transfers.
Sala's former club Bordeaux, who sold the Argentine to Nantes in 2015, are entitled to receive half of the total fee.
- AFP
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