Hicham Boudaoui in advanced Al-Ittihad talks as OGC Nice exit looms

Hicham Boudaoui is close to ending his seven-year spell with OGC Nice, with the Algeria international reportedly in advanced negotiations over a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.

The proposed transfer would also bring an end to the 26-year-old midfielder’s time in Europe, with the summer transfer window in the Big Five leagues due to close on 1 September – exactly one week after the latest developments.

Boudaoui is understood to have agreed with OGC Nice’s management that he has reached the end of a cycle at the club and needs a change of surroundings. The timing of the potential departure is significant because he has one year remaining on his contract, which expires on 30 June 2027.

The midfielder was left out of the squad for Ligue 1’s return, when OGC Nice drew 0-0 with Lorient last Saturday. He then trained separately from the rest of the group on Tuesday.

According to French sports newspaper L’Equipe, with the report also corroborated by Foot Mercato, OGC Nice and Al-Ittihad are now at an advanced stage in negotiations for Boudaoui’s transfer to Saudi Arabia. The parties are said to be highly confident that an agreement can be reached.

Boudaoui joined OGC Nice in 2019 from Paradou, the club where he developed as a player. Since then, he has established himself as an important member of the squad and has earned 36 international caps for Algeria.

A move to Al-Ittihad would see him join fellow Algeria international Houssem Aouar, with whom he already plays for the national side. The pair were also involved together at the 2026 World Cup.

Aouar, formerly of Olympique Lyonnais, has begun his third season with Al-Ittihad, the club known for its yellow and black colours. Boudaoui would therefore be arriving at a side that already includes a familiar international team-mate.

The 2025-2026 campaign was one of Boudaoui’s busiest at OGC Nice. He made 32 appearances, scoring once and providing two assists. Those outings took his overall record for the club to 207 matches, 14 goals and 12 assists.

The next stage of his career now depends on the final outcome of the talks between OGC Nice and Al-Ittihad. With the transfer deadline approaching, Boudaoui appears increasingly likely to leave both the French club and European football before the close of the window.