Lille set to rival Nantes and Saint-Etienne in the chase of Mainz’ Ludovic Ajorque | OneFootball

Despite a contract running until 2026, Ludovic Ajorque (30) could return to Ligue 1 this summer. The Mainz’ striker is gathering interest from multiple clubs and could leave Germany just 18 months after his transfer from RC Strasbourg Alsace.

Arriving from Strasbourg on a €6M deal back in the winter of 2022, Ludovic Ajorque’s journey at Mainz has been full of ups and downs. Despite showing good premises in his first months, logging six goals and delivering one assist in the second half of the 2022-2023 campaign, last season has been disappointing, to say the least. With Mainz having to fight for their survival, the French striker failed to live up to expectations, scoring only three goals in 28 games across all competitions. Since Bo Henriksen’s nomination as Mainz’ new head coach in mid-February, the former Strasbourg striker has only started three of the last 13 games, and is now looking for a new challenge. A return to Ligue 1, where he scored 46 goals in 135 appearances is a growing possibility.

According to a report from Foot Mercato, Lille have added Ajorque’s name to their shortlist, hence joining FC Nantes and AS Saint-Etienne in the race to sign the French striker. The French outlet reveals that Les Dogues are looking for two centre-forwards this summer, with one of them having the task to replace Jonathan David (24), and adds that Lille would have no problem meeting Mainz’s valuation of their player, who hasn’t filtered.

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux