From the 2012–13 season, Đorđević exploded in form and directly contributed to Nantes' promotion at the end of the season. Over 34 league games, he scored 20 goals and was the top scorer of Ligue 2 at the end of the season. On 16 August 2013, Lyon allegedly proposed between €3–5 million for Đorđević, although Đorđević and Nantes declined the transfer. In the club's return to Ligue 1, Đorđević scored seven goals in the first 12 games, rivalling Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimović for a top place in the Ligue's list of high scorers of the season.