As the winter transfer window ends this Thursday, February 1 at 11:59 PM, here’s what’s happening at OGC Nice. January has been eventful in terms of both departures and arrivals for the Aiglons.
It is often said that the winter transfer window is a period for adjustments, where clubs search for the missing player among their squad. Nevertheless, this January 2024 has been particularly lively in terms of transfers at OGC Nice with 4 arrivals and 5 departures in the professional Nice squad.
Mohamed-Ali Cho, main recruit of the winter
The first recruit was officially announced early in January. Arriving directly from Spain and Real Sociedad, winger Mohamed-Ali Cho signed for 10 million euros. Able to play on both wings, the Frenchman strengthens the offensive positions, a true priority this winter for Nice management. The 19-year-old has the advantage of having already played in Ligue 1, at Angers.
Finding a new defensive element was another priority of the red and black transfer window. With Youcef Atal‘s future still uncertain, the club aimed for a new right-back. The chosen one is Valentin Rosier. The defender arrived from Besiktas in Turkey. He is on loan to the Gym until the end of the season, with a purchase option estimated at 3 million euros. Physically limited, the tricolor full-back has yet to play a match in the red and black jersey.
The club then turned to finding a new backup for Marcin Bulka. Initially, the solution seemed to lie internally, with Teddy Boulhendi. But the Gym seized a great opportunity by signing Maxime Dupé. The goalkeeper was no longer playing at Anderlecht in Belgium. He wanted to return to Ligue 1, six months after leaving Toulouse.
Finally, on Wednesday, January 31, OGC Nice announced one last signing. It is Victor Orakpo (18 years old). The young Nigerian U20 arrives from Bayern Munich. The young forward will initially join the Aiglons’ reserve team. “He has significant potential. We will try to put him in the best conditions and give him time to develop,” explained Florent Ghisolfi, the Gym’s sporting director, about him.
Departures on loan for players lacking playing time
On the departures side, the club favored loans for players lacking playing time with the Aiglons. This is notably the case for Ayoub Amraoui. The Moroccan left-back will finish the season with Amiens (Ligue 2), after initially joining Nancy. It’s the same scenario for Badredine Bouanani; the Algerian is loaned to Lorient, the league’s last place. The winger will be able to gain experience with Les Merlus and gain playing time in Ligue 1. Just back from Brazil, the central defender Robson Bambu has already left. The Brazilian is on loan, with an option to buy, at Arouca (Portuguese Primeira Liga).
OGC Nice also recorded the departure of Reda Belahyane. The 19-year-old player is heading to Hellas Verona. Despite receiving contract extension offers, the midfielder, who only played two matches this season for the Aiglons, preferred a new project.
Finally, Salvatore Sirigu also left the club this January. Having arrived this summer to serve as a backup goalkeeper, the Italian did not play any matches with OGC Nice. The goalkeeper has signed with the Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük.
In the final hours of the transfer window, Juventus also made an offer for young Daouda Traoré (17 years old). According to L’Equipe, the Italians’ proposal was five million euros for the midfielder. The Nice management immediately closed the door on negotiations.
