Espérance Sportive de Tunis are on the verge of completing the signing of JS Kabylie winger Kouceila Boualia, with negotiations now in their final stages.
According to sources close to the talks, the Tunisian champions initially saw their first bid rejected but have returned with an improved offer.
The revised proposal is understood to be worth €600,000, a fee that would secure the services of the 24-year-old, who made 25 appearances and scored five goals last season.
For JS Kabylie, the prospect of losing one of their standout players has unsettled supporters.
The club has yet to make any significant signings in the current transfer window, and the potential departure of Boualia would further weaken a squad already in need of attacking reinforcements.
Head coach Josef Zinnbauer has publicly called for at least two new offensive options, but instead finds himself facing the possibility of losing a key performer.
The situation has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Some suggest JSK may have a broader strategy in mind, with speculation linking the club to former Angers SCO winger Zinedine Ferhat as a potential replacement.
This move, if realised, could soften the blow of Boualia’s exit, but would not erase concerns over the team’s overall strength heading into the new season.
Boualia’s possible departure follows the earlier sale of Redouane Berkane, meaning JS Kabylie could see two senior figures leave in a single window.
The combination of limited incoming transfers and high-profile exits has left many questioning the club’s transfer policy.
Should the deal go through, Boualia would become the third Algerian player in the ranks of the Sang et Or, joining Mohamed Amine Tougai and Youcef Belaili.
His arrival would be seen as a major boost for ES Tunis, who continue to strengthen their squad in pursuit of domestic and continental success.
While the agreement is yet to be officially confirmed, all indications suggest the transfer is moving rapidly towards completion.
For ES Tunis, the capture of Boualia would represent not only a significant reinforcement on the pitch but also a statement of intent in the North African football market.
For JS Kabylie, however, it could mark the latest chapter in a transfer window defined as much by departures as by arrivals.
