Claudio Ranieri has insisted that he "will be at Nantes next year", reiterating his desire to remain at the Ligue 1 club amid ongoing links with the Italy senior job.

The 66-year-old, also linked with Lyon and Nice in recent weeks, has been at the Stade de la Beaujoire since the start of the 2017-18 season.

Having previously suggested that he would consider taking charge of Italy if an approach was made, Ranieri has now backtracked by revealing that he intends to respect his Nantes contract.

"I'm under contract with Nantes," he told Canal+. "The media say one day I'm going to Italy, another to Nice. I'll be at Nantes next year, because I have a two-year contract with them."

Ranieri was speaking after Nantes lost 2-1 to Monaco on Saturday evening, leaving them eighth in the Ligue 1 standings.