OGC Nice: This week’s transfer market update

Forced to sell before recruiting, OGC Nice is moving slowly at the start of this summer transfer window. By all means, the Gym is trying to get rid of its unwanted players. Having returned to the club just a few weeks ago, Roger Ricort, the new Nice director, has his work cut out for him.

Slowly but surely! With their hands tied, OGC Nice is starting timidly this 2026 summer transfer window. Just over a month after the transfer market opened in France, the Eagles have, for now, only officially announced one reinforcement to their squad: Laurent Abergel. And even then, the midfielder had just been released from his previous contract with FC Lorient, a low-cost arrival for the Gym. It is no longer a surprise, Nice is in a difficult financial situation and must sell this summer before considering new reinforcements.

While the first days of July saw numerous departures – Vanhoutte, Boudache, Boga, Bernardeau, Ndombele – OGC Nice stepped up this week, with two players in their sights: Terem Moffi and Kévin Carlos. Roger Ricort received the representatives of the former on Wednesday at the training center. Facing them, the new sporting director maintained his line: as had been assured at the last press conference, Moffi will never play again in a Nice shirt and is more than ever invited to leave as quickly as possible.

For his part, Kevin Carlos is unlikely to remain long in the memory of Gym lovers. Flop of last summer’s transfer window, the striker completely missed his season, passing through the months almost like a ghost (only two goals to his credit, none in Ligue 1). Samsunspor (Turkey) and Preston (English second division) are said to have expressed their interest. For now, the Spaniard is said to have rejected these two initial approaches.

As a symbol, neither Terem Moffi nor Kevin Carlos were invited among the Nice delegation that paid tribute to the 86 victims of the Promenade des Anglais attack on July 14, 2016. On Thursday, the entire Nice squad traveled to the Villa Masséna to lay a wreath and pay their respects at the memorial honoring these victims.

Walter Benitez in the waiting room

Still in terms of departures, Mohamed-Ali Cho and Isak Jansson could also leave the Côte d’Azur this summer, according to reports from Nice-Matin. The former French youth international is still in the sights of AS Monaco. But the Rock club is taking its time on this matter, with the objective of selling Maghnes Akliouche before moving forward on the identity of his replacement. Jansson, for his part, may not fit into the plans of Olivier Pantaloni, the Gym’s new coach. But again, the Swede, recruited last summer, will be difficult to offload.

Finally, OGC Nice could also see changes in goal. Back from the World Cup, Yehvann Diouf is questioning his future. After a difficult season on a personal level – where he was notably relegated in the hierarchy in early 2026 – the Franco-Senegalese is not closing the door to a departure. If this were to be confirmed, the Gym might have found its successor: Walter Benitez. The former club member (2016-2022) would even be willing to make enormous sacrifices to mark his return to the Côte d’Azur, such as ending his contract with his current club, Crystal Palace. In England, Benitez only has the role of backup.

Still at the goalkeeper level, OGC Nice is also looking for a backup. Maxime Dupé, who held this role last season, joined Nantes at the end of his contract with the Eagles. According to L’Équipe, the Gym is advancing on the trail of Gauthier Gallon. The former goalkeeper has the advantage of knowing Ligue 1 (62 matches played) and being free of any contract after a six-month stint in Belgium defending the colors of Dender.