Despite transfer wrangle, Mehdi Merghem in Bastia squad for Reims trip | OneFootball

Algerian winger Mehdi Merghem is in Bastia’s travelling group for Friday’s match at Reims, 20.00, despite a wrangle over his signing.

"Mehdi and his club agreed to terminate the contract that bound them," said Gilles Cioni, Bastia’s sporting co-ordinator, to Ici RCFM. "Their agreement was made late, right at the end of the window. As soon as the player reached agreement with JSK, we submitted the contract to Mehdi Merghem."

He arrived on Monday. The club announced the move on Tuesday, the day after the window shut, though Bastia had validated it on Monday evening.

The 28-year-old had joined JS Kabylie at the start of the season and apparently secured his release from the side sitting 10th in Algeria. JS Kabylie nonetheless tried to argue he remained under contract to obtain a fee, seemingly without success. JSK did not respond when contacted this week.

Bastia were optimistic this week while awaiting the International Transfer Certificate, a prerequisite for his registration. Réginald Ray has named him for the trip to Reims. He is Sporting’s second winter recruit after former Red Star player Joachim Eickmayer, who arrived earlier in January.

Source: L'Équipe