OGC Nice: the week’s transfer update

Like every Sunday, we return in detail to the latest transfer news from OGC Nice. On the Côte d’Azur, recent days have been marked by the resumption and the start of a new project for the Eagles. Still looking for savings, the Gym continues to slim down its squad and look for exits for its unwanted players.

It’s back to training for OGC Nice! This Wednesday, the players and the first summer signing of the red and black, Laurent Abergel, returned to the training center with the aim of starting the long preseason before beginning the 2026/27 season. Vacation is over for the Gym! On this occasion, the Eagles were able to meet with their new coach: Olivier Pantaloni. Arriving from Lorient this summer, the Corsican represents the new Nice project, alongside its president, Maurice Cohen, and the new sporting director, Roger Ricort.

Internally, the message is clear: Ineos wants cost savings. This will necessarily involve a reduction in the wage bill, but also many departures. Among them, that of Terem Moffi is more than desired, as confirmed by Cohen and Ricort on Wednesday to the press. “We don’t necessarily respect the man, but we respect the player”, the sporting director of OGC Nice had said. Getting the Nigerian international out won’t be easy. His salary – one of the highest in the Nice dressing room – weighs heavily, and his mixed last six months at Porto on loan don’t help his case.

Still in terms of departures, the Gym confirmed the departure of Gabin Bernardeau to FC Lorient. Arriving last summer on the Côte d’Azur, the midfielder had made his professional debut with OGC Nice (8 matches played last season), without establishing himself under Franck Haise or Claude Puel. The Eagles should recover one million euros from this transaction. The departure of Mohamed-Ali Cho to AS Monaco is becoming clearer. Although the Rock club should accelerate once Maghnes Akliouche’s departure is finalized.

Putting the academy back at the center of the project

It is one of the strong wishes of the trio Pantaloni – Ricort – Cohen: to trust the young players from the OGC Nice academy, which had not been the case in recent years at the Nice club. This decision also aims to recreate a “Nice DNA” around a squad that seemed to have completely lost it last season. A bridge will be established with Julien Sablé, returning to head the academy after six months as Claude Puel’s assistant. The former midfielder can also count on the support of Alexy Bosetti in the role of assistant coach to the elite group.

In this regard, OGC Nice managed to convince Junior Mandza to sign his first professional contract with the Eagles. The young midfielder was heavily courted: Juventus Turin offered three million euros to sign him this summer. But the French U17 international chose to commit long-term to the club where he grew up. On Wednesday, he was present for training with the professional group.

Finally, OGC Nice continues to search for a new striker. According to Foot Mercato, the Eagles would be monitoring Al Jazira Club’s striker, Simon Banza. The former Lens player just finished a season in the United Arab Emirates, but had two prolific campaigns with Braga and Trabzonspor before that. One thing is certain: the Gym won’t complete the arrival of Bamba Dieng. The Senegalese was linked to the Nice club due to the presence of his former Lorient coach, Olivier Pantaloni. But the striker would finally be on the verge of joining Saudi Arabia.