Who's leaving? Who's staying? We take stock of the OGC Nice transfer window

A short loan and then he's gone. Youssoufa Moukoko wasn't predestined to stay more than a season at Nice, with an €18 million purchase option. His twenty-two appearances haven't been any more convincing (2 goals, 2 assists), and the Coupe de France elimination was downright fatal for him, with not a single minute of play since joining Saint-Brieuc on February 5th. The 20-year-old striker is returning to Borussia Dortmund, where more uncertainty awaits him with a year left on his contract.

The stay on the Côte d'Azur will have been even shorter for Baptiste Santamaria . But no less deserving for a midfielder who has appeared fourteen times in red and black since the end of January, and more often to his advantage than the German striker. But with a salary that exceeds 150,000 euros per month and in a rich playing sector, the thirty-year-old will not be retained despite the low transfer fee associated with his loan from Rennes (2 million euros).

They should leave

Top scorer (12 goals) and best passer of his team (8 assists, tied with Clauss) in the Championship, Evann Guessand has exploded the expectations of his training club in his first season as a starter. International Ivorian at almost 24 years old, the native of Ajaccio is hungry for discoveries and the Gym needs liquidity. Expectations around 30 million euros will animate the negotiations in a transfer market which should take a long time to settle between June 16 and September ¹ (see opposite). English clubs have the purchasing power and the favors of other attractive elements of the locker room like Melvin Bard , who recently changed advisor and stature in the eyes of the recruiters.

A solid performer last year, the left-back has confirmed his continued progress under Franck Haise with his versatility in a three-man defense, his sense of combat, and his projection abilities (2 goals, 1 assist), which make him a sought-after 24-year-old in the UK. Having had a very convincing sixth season on the Côte d'Azur (36 appearances, 2 goals, 4 assists), Hicham Boudaoui enjoys a rating that could also allow the club to make a capital gain of around ten million euros on a 25-year-old player who cost four million in 2019.

For Marcin Bulka and Pablo Rosario , it's their contracts expiring in 2026 that are driving transfer interest. AS Monaco is looking for a goalkeeper, and the Polish goalkeeper's profile offers clear advantages despite Nice's €15-20 million bid. Rosario, who was unsuccessfully approached by Ajax last summer, will have a free pass this time around.

They are waiting to see

Tanguy Ndombele has been struggling with his pubalgia surgery for several months. With uncertainty hanging over the future of his second year of contract, an amicable termination no longer seems an option to be ruled out. Recruited for €22 million at the height of the Ineos project, Sofiane Diop will enjoy an automatic salary increase next season that no longer corresponds to the scale targeted by the management. Like Gaëtan Laborde , their emoluments should curb the various interests and Franck Haise will not be unhappy to see them stay. It's less certain for Jérémie Boga (3 goals, 1 assist) and Mohamed-Ali Cho (5 and 4), who have lost favor with their coach over the course of the season but their profiles could generate eight-figure offers that would satisfy everyone.

Tom Louchet has been voted the club's best youngster for the second time in a row and is hoping to get even more playing time. Auxerre, Brest and German clubs are keeping a close eye on his situation. Maxime Dupé will be eyeing a number 1 position in search of minutes, while Teddy Boulhendi , whose contract expires in 2026, could also seize an opportunity.

Barring any surprises, they will stay

Dante and Jonathan Clauss have no reason not to honor their final year of contract (with a ^3rd optional for the ex-Marseillais). Ali Abdi , Antoine Mendy , Moïse Bombito , Badredine Bouanani, Amidou Doumbouya and Victor Orakpo will continue their apprenticeship with a second consecutive European season. Youssouf Ndayishimiye could have aspired to a transfer but his long injury changed the situation. Mohamed Abdelmonem will also be stuck for several months, Morgan Sanson and Terem Moffi will be out for revenge.