Nantes closing in on Lens’ Denver Machado as ‘joker’ signingNantes are looking to close in on the emergency signing of Lens full-back and wing-back Denver Machado (32), according to L’Équipe. Les Canaris are looking to bolster their defence over the winter, and the columbian international is set to join the club on a two-and-a-half year deal and fill a hole that has been a constant problem for Luís Castro’s side so far this season.Machado joined Lens from Toulouse in 2021 and was a key part of the side that finished second in Ligue 1 under Franck Haise, and is expected to join Nantes after the Sang & Or face the Canaris this weekend in Ligue 1 action. Capable of operating as a traditional left-back or as a more advanced wing-back, he has accumulated 12 caps for Colombia. Nantes currently sit perilously level with Metz on 11 points so far this season, and have been winless in their last five league outings.GFFN | George Boxall