Brighton ‘interested’ in AFCON star with January deal not ruled out
Brighton are one of two clubs reportedly showing a strong interest in OGC Nice star Hicham Boudaoui.
The Seagulls have been heavily linked with signing a midfielder this month, with speculation rife that Carlos Baleba will depart at the end of the season, amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney and Aston Villa’s Lamare Bogarde are among those said to have been shortlisted as potential replacements, but Boudaoui’s performances in recent weeks appear to have caught the eye of the Seagulls.
According to FootMercato, Brighton ‘greatly appreciates’ the Algeria international’s profile and have registered an interest in acquiring his services.
The Seagulls feel that Boudaoui is a ‘modern box-to-box’ midfielder, capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch, which he has evidenced at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Like Brighton, Galatasaray have also been taken aback by the 26-year-old’s displays in Morocco and are among the European outfits to have made contact with Nice to explore whether a deal could be possible sooner rather than later.
Boudaoui’s contract at the Allianz Riviera expires in 2027, and thus, Nice are aware that they will need to sell their No. 6 soon to ensure that they can pocket his true market value.
Claude Puel’s side are therefore willing to ‘open the door’ to a sale if an appropriate offer is tabled, which will certainly encourage both Brighton and Galatasaray. Following Algeria’s 2-0 loss to Nigeria earlier this weekend, Boudaoui will soon return to France, which could also allow a deal to accelerate.
The midfielder featured prominently over the past few weeks, providing a backheel assist against Sudan before highlighting his defensive strength in a well-rounded display against Burkina Faso.
Boudaoui was then rested against Equatorial Guinea before playing 114 minutes in Algeria’s 1-0 win over DR Congo. He was booked against Nigeria in the recent quarter-final defeat, but will head home from Morocco with his head held high, and a January switch now in the offing.