Argentine striker Emiliano Sala was due to arrive in the UK on a record deal for Cardiff City FC after spending years playing for French clubs.
The 28-year-old signed just four days ago to join the Welsh side from French club Nantes for £15 million. The fee for the former Bordeaux and Caen forward was a record for Cardiff City, knocking the £11 million paid to Sevilla for Chile midfielder Gary Medel off the top spot.
FC Nantes signed the 28-year-old on a five-year contract back in July 2015, for $1 million.
Last year, he became the first Nantes player to score a hat-trick in a Ligue 1 match since February 2006.
Sala was signed to Cardiff City on Saturday. The new Premier League player was siged on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The 28-year-old Argentine was on his way to meet his new colleagues at Cardiff City after signing for the club last week in a £15 million deal. He was travelling from Nantes in Brittany.
A source working for the emergency services in France confirmed Mr Sala was on board” and there are “genuine concerns” for his safety.
Cardiff were not due to play this weekend, having been knocked out of the FA Cup by Gillingham in the third round earlier this month.
The Bluebirds’ next fixture is due to be at Arsenal in a week’s time.