Nice reshape squad with late flurry as Abdelhak Ben Idder and Niels Nkounkou arrive | OneFootball

Nice pushed business to the wire on Tuesday to remodel the squad, with two arrivals and several exits explored as outgoings proved tricky after last season’s play-off escape.

According to L'Équipe, after Mohammed Amoura on Monday, two more signings followed. Centre-back Abdelhak Ben Idder joined from Paradou for €300,000 on a five-year contract. The 19-year-old Algeria international, capped once, played 25 matches last season and can also cover midfield.

Niels Nkounkou arrived on loan with an option to buy and reunited with friend Elye Wahi at the training ground. He is intended to offset Melvin Bard’s proposed move to Leeds, a paid loan of €1m with a €5m option. The deal was progressing but was not completed at 20:30, with the English market closing at midnight.

Hicham Boudaoui, previously expected at Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, was instead the subject of talks with Monaco. The 26-year-old, under contract until 2027 and an Algeria international, could join there as a joker on loan with an option. If it goes through, he would first extend at Nice by one year before moving.

Exits are also being prepared for Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga, 18, to Virton on loan without an option, and Victor Orakpo, 20, who has an offer from Turkish club Gençlerbirligi for a loan with option. Nice will show a refreshed look in the coming days. Focus now shifts to hosting Le Mans on Saturday.

Source: L'Équipe

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