OGC Nice: the market update of the week

Before its closure which will take place Tuesday, September 1st in the evening, the Nice transfer market is intensifying, mainly in terms of departures. With the Wahi matter settled, the club continues its downsizing. This Friday, we look back at this week’s news regarding transfers at OGC Nice.

The big checks are finally starting to come into the club’s coffers. After a failed transfer at the beginning of the month, Mohamed-Ali Cho has finally committed to the English side Hull City, for a fee of 16 million euros excluding bonuses.

Kojo Peprah Oppong is also packing his bags, just one season after his arrival. The Ghanaian defender is about to join Fenerbahçe, freshly qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Olympique Lyonnais. A total agreement would have been quickly found for a fee of 12 million euros, including a 10% resale percentage.

To compensate for this departure, OGC Nice should not be looking for a central defender, despite the long absence of Moïse Bombito. A trend confirmed by Olivier Pantaloni this morning at a press conference: “It’s true that there are players who appeared very little last season, but I think we are well stocked at that level.“

Other outgoing matters to watch

The Hicham Boudaoui saga could reach its conclusion in Saudi Arabia rather than at Marseille. According to the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat, a total agreement would have been found between OGC Nice and Al-Ittihad for 10 million euros. All that would be missing is the approval of the Saudi financial supervisory committee for the deal to be finalized. In Nice’s midfield, no additional signings are ultimately being considered. The club is counting on its young talents and current leaders, even if Clermont has made inquiries about Issiaga Camara.

Following two unconvincing loans in Ligue 2, Victor Orakpo has also received the green light from his managers to permanently leave the club. The young Mantsounga could meanwhile be loaned out to gain experience.

Finally, a possible transfer of Melvin Bard to Everton remains topical, although no concrete offer has been made. The Gym remains very attentive to the left-back market. According to L’Équipe, the recruitment team is monitoring the situation of Niels Nkounkou, for whom a loan is being studied.

An INEOS lead and the Amoura surprise?

A backup to Elye Wahi is being sought as a priority before the end of the transfer window. Manchester United could make its first player loan to the Gym, as part of the ties created between the INEOS group. Although several names are possible, it would be Enzo Kana-Biyik, a 19-year-old French striker measuring 1.89 meters.

Another last-minute lead is being discussed for the attack, that leading to Mohammed Amoura. According to Sacha Tavolieri, discussions are currently underway between OGC Nice and Wolfsburg for a loan of the Algerian international. The player is said to have been convinced by the pitch from Roger Ricort and Olivier Pantaloni. With his club, he has scored 18 goals and provided 16 assists in 67 matches.