“We tried to get him in January with a loan with purchase option, but RC Lens beat us to it,” says Maurice Cohen, president of OGC Nice. Loïc Rémy has shown enormous qualities in speed, dribbling, and finishing under the blood and gold jersey. His stock has risen. He has been called up to the France A’ team, and he has become the priority for Frédéric Antonetti, coach of OGC Nice, and Roger Ricort, sporting director, to replace Ederson, the attacking midfielder from Nice, who left for Lyon. Roger Ricort explains: “We had a budget for recruitment. Frédéric Antonetti asked me to distribute it the best way possible. From the start, we took Loïc Rémy who is promised a bright future.” What is the transfer amount? The question is taboo. Maurice Cohen refuses to disclose a price. The same response from Loïc Rémy. The argument: to avoid putting undue pressure on the player to prove on the field that he is worth his transfer cost. The shadow of Matt Moussilou’s transfer looms… Maurice Cohen, as usual, responds cleverly: “What is important is not the transfer amount, but having the means to achieve it.”
At a press conference at the OGC Nice headquarters, a relaxed young boy, smiling and happy to be there, arrived. He had to justify his choice to join the Côte d’Azur despite numerous offers. Frédéric Antonetti convinced him: “I talked to him on the phone and after the discussion, I decided to come to Nice. I want to progress, and it is the ideal setting. He does not hesitate to give young players their chance, like with Anthony Modeste this season. He is not afraid to give young players game time. It is a great challenge to take up.” Pressure? He wants to manage and forget about it on the field. You can feel the touch of the Lyon training: “I have the same pressure as everyone else. Maybe a bit stronger because I just arrived and have a lot to show. But on the pitch, I need to clear all that from my mind.” And all with a touch of humility: “I am not positioning myself as an indisputable starter. There are already players in place in the squad. It’s a new start with a permanent transfer. I need to commit to the club.” The goals? “You always need to set some. I want to first string together matches and make a breakthrough with OGC Nice. The rest (note: the France team) will come.”
Loïc Rémy draws from his adventure in Artois and the club’s relegation to league 2, presided over by Gervais Martel. He says he learned from that failure and was not left unscathed: “Lens is an experience that marked me. Despite a good start, we ended in disaster. It’s cruel because it’s a club with great potential.”
As for his new host city, where he signed for four years, with a broad smile, he describes it:
“Nice? One immediately thinks of nice weather and holidays. But I am not here for holidays!” Eagerly awaiting the return to see a player who promises to evolve at Stade du Ray and has the potential to thrill supporters. A first quality recruit for OGC Nice, which announces others, particularly Emerse Faé in 48 hours.
Other transfer info from Maurice Cohen:
Regarding the goalkeeper:
“We are not in a hurry. It might be Lionel Létizi and Jérémy Moreau. We have been offered Penneteau and Carasso, but we’re thinking about it. Within the club, the priority is a young goalkeeper whom Lionel Létizi would mentor.”
Regarding Baky Koné:
“We have had no offers for Baky and for the other players. When we wanted Loïc Rémy, we addressed Olympique Lyonnais directly.”
Regarding Frédéric Piquionne:
“We gathered information from the club, but like with about ten other players.”
