OGC Nice: the market update of the week

As we do every Sunday, let’s take stock of the latest news about OGC Nice’s transfer market. After the arrival of Olivier Pantaloni on the Aiglons’ bench, the Gym can now focus on overhauling its squad. But like last summer, the Niçois’ firepower will necessarily be restricted financially during this transfer market.

After the arrival of its new coach, Olivier Pantaloni, OGC Nice can now focus on overhauling its squad, on the eve of the next season. The project promises to be titanic, following a nightmare season for the Aiglons. In recent months, disappointments have piled up on the Côte d’Azur. Although survival was ultimately secured, Claude Puel was not reappointed, giving way his position to the Corsican tactician, who arrives after a very successful season with the newly promoted FC Lorient. A major chapter should also turn on the player side, where several “key players” could be shown the door.

In this regard, potential departures of Hicham Boudaoui or Sofiane Diop will not come as a surprise. Announced as game and dressing room leaders, the two men perfectly embody the inconsistency and failure of Nice’s key players in the last season. Other players could also be affected by a possible transfer, such as Melvin Bard or Jonathan Clauss. “If I think that on a sporting level things aren’t working, I’m giving myself the right to look elsewhere“, the latter confided in an interview with BeIN Sports, two weeks ago. The door is clearly not closed! Finally, out of contract, Maxime Dupé is also leaving Nice. As expected, the former backup to Yehvann Diouf is returning to his training club: FC Nantes.

The legendary Dante – now retired – leaves a big void in the red and black dressing room. While the end of his professional career is not a surprise, the succession of the Brazilian defender doesn’t seem to have been anticipated by OGC Nice. In the defensive sector of the Aiglons, Kojo Oppong and Antoine Mendy are still too young to embody any leadership. The career trajectory of Moïse Bombito, meanwhile, is not spared by repeated injuries.

The crazy Anthony Martial rumour

In attack, OGC Nice still hope to keep Elye Wahi. But the matter remains and promises to be more than complicated. The striker – who is currently playing in the 2026 World Cup with Ivory Coast – is theoretically supposed to return to Frankfurt, where he is still under contract, at the end of the world competition. While the German club will not oppose a departure of its player this summer, Eintracht does not want to hear about anything other than a permanent transfer. And the financial demands of the Bundesliga team would be well above the Gym’s budget.

Under these conditions, the Aiglons could turn to other options. One of them would lead to Anthony Martial, according to information from Foot Mercato. After the termination of his contract with Mexican club Monterrey, the former AS Monaco striker is said to have been offered to a dozen Ligue 1 clubs. OGC Nice has not completely closed the door. The Gym should first reduce its wage bill before considering going further in this matter. On paper, Martial easily represents the profile of a former international “star” who would come to revive a stalled career on the Côte d’Azur, as had been the case with Tanguy Ndombele, Elye Wahi, or to a lesser extent, Mario Balotelli.

In parallel, OGC Nice is also making progress on Gauthier Hein, according to information from journalist Angelo Salemi. The versatile attacking midfielder is expected to leave FC Metz after their relegation to Ligue 2. His profile would be highly appreciated internally. In the austerity drive being experienced by the Gym, Hein perfectly represents the new targets to which the Aiglons can aspire on a financial level.