Belaili to leave Esperance Tunis as contract extension talks formally abandoned

Youcef Belaili’s second spell at Esperance de Tunis is over after the Tunisian club formally ended negotiations over a new contract with the Algeria winger.

Esperance confirmed they have “definitively” closed discussions about extending the 34-year-old’s deal, saying every step of the talks had been completed without a final agreement being reached.

The announcement comes despite the two parties previously appearing close to a compromise. On 5 June 2026, Esperance said they had reached an agreement in principle for Belaili to sign a two-year extension, underlining the club’s desire to keep a player regarded as a key figure in their squad and important to their sporting continuity.

Club says obligations were fulfilled

In their statement, Esperance’s hierarchy insisted they had honoured all of their commitments to the Algeria international during the negotiation process.

The club said they had offered Belaili a contract on terms that would have maintained his existing salary. They also stated that all outstanding payments had been settled and that they had provided the documentation required to support the player in his case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, according to the club, Belaili and his representative failed to attend the final scheduled meeting intended to complete the agreement, including an appointment set for 23 July 2026.

With those talks breaking down, Esperance opted to call a halt to the process rather than seek further meetings, drawing a line under weeks of uncertainty over the player’s future.

Esperance turn to transfer market

Following the collapse of negotiations, the Tunisian champions have shifted their focus towards recruiting reinforcements for the coming campaign.

Esperance said they wished Belaili well for the rest of his career, signalling a definitive end to their attempts to keep him at Stade Hammadi Agrebi.

Belaili, who has been capped numerous times by Algeria and has built a reputation as one of North Africa’s most talented wide forwards, is currently valued at €1.2m by Transfermarkt.

His departure leaves Esperance needing to fill the void left by a high-profile attacking player they had hoped to retain, while Belaili is now expected to assess options for the next move in a career that has taken him across several leagues in the Arab world and beyond.