Paradou AC’s future in doubt amid reports of potential sale

Club’s owners reportedly considering offers for academy, training centre and first team

Paradou AC, one of Algeria’s most respected football institutions, could be sold in the coming months, according to reports from Algerian newspaper El Khabar.

The report suggests that the club’s principal shareholders, brothers Kheireddine and Hassan Zetchi, are open to selling the entire project.

If completed, the deal would reportedly include not only the first team but also the club’s renowned youth academy and the Baba Ali training centre, both regarded as central to Paradou’s identity and long-term success.

No official announcement has been made regarding a sale, and the reported plans remain unconfirmed.

However, the possibility has already generated discussion among followers of Algerian football because of Paradou’s influence on player development over the past three decades.

Reports emerge during a difficult period

Speculation surrounding the club’s future comes at a challenging time for Paradou AC.

The reports follow the club’s relegation to Algeria’s Ligue 2 and come amid the legal difficulties involving Kheireddine Zetchi.

Although no direct link has been established between those circumstances and the reported plans, the timing has fuelled questions over whether the club’s long-standing ownership could be coming to an end.

For now, neither the club nor its shareholders have officially confirmed that a sale will take place.

A model that reshaped Algerian football

Paradou AC has earned widespread recognition for its commitment to youth development rather than relying on significant spending in the transfer market.

The club built its reputation by investing heavily in its academy and training infrastructure, helping to develop a generation of players who later progressed to both the Algerian national team and leading European clubs.

Among the most notable graduates are Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Atal, Hicham Boudaoui and Yacine Titraoui, all of whom emerged through the club’s academy before advancing in their professional careers.

Several members of Vladimir Petkovic’s current Algeria squad also began their football journeys at Paradou, further highlighting the academy’s contribution to the national team.

Because of that legacy, any change in ownership would be viewed as a significant moment for Algerian football.

The reported proposal extends beyond the first team and would also include the academy and Baba Ali training centre, facilities that have become synonymous with the club’s philosophy of nurturing young talent.

Whether such a move would simply bring new investment or signal the end of the development model that made Paradou one of Algeria’s most admired clubs remains uncertain.

Until there is official confirmation from the club or its shareholders, the reports should be treated with caution.

If a sale does materialise, however, it would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Paradou AC’s history and could have far-reaching implications for one of Algerian football’s most influential institutions.