CARDIFF: French club Nantes have reminded Cardiff City about the payment instalment due on the transfer of Emiliano Sala who disappeared in a plane crash in the English Channel two weeks ago.

The Argentinian striker and pilot David Ibbotson were aboard a Piper Malibu N264DB which lost radar contact near Guernsey on January 21.

Sala, 28, Premier League Cardiff’s record signing at £15m and the Welsh club have withheld the first of three scheduled payments over three years until they are satisfied with the documentation.

It is unclear whether the club had insurance covering the cost of the transfer but Cardiff are reportedly “surprised” by the Nantes demand while attempts are being made to recover a body from the plane that was carrying Sala and Ibbotson.

Bordeaux are entitled to 50pc of the fee for Sala who was their player from 2012 to 2015.

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