Nantes set to take transfer fee dispute to Fifa

If the Premier League club fail to comply with Nantes' demands by Wednesday, it is understood that the case will be taken to Fifa. Nantes' lawyers began the legal battle by writing to Cardiff on 5 February asking for the first of three annual payments for the player to be paid within 10 working days.

But the Welsh club, however, want to wait, as they believe Nantes could be ultimately responsible for organising the flight, especially given that pilot David Ibbotson may not have been qualified to be flying with a paying customer in that particular plane.

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock and a Nantes delegation were present at Sala's funeral in Argentina on Saturday. Nantes remain keen to buy a replacement for Sala, strengthening their desire to recoup the entire transfer fee as quickly as possible.