Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui poised for Al-Ittihad switch

Algerian midfielder Hicham Boudaoui is nearing a move from OGC Nice to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad after the two clubs reached a preliminary agreement worth about €8m.

The 26-year-old has also given his approval to the transfer, according to French newspaper L’Equipe. However, the deal still requires final authorisation from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which approves transfers of this nature.

Once that approval is granted, Boudaoui will be able to undergo his medical examination before completing the formalities of his move to Al-Ittihad. The main parties involved have already agreed the key details of the transfer.

Boudaoui is expected to bring to an end a seven-year spell with Nice, having joined the French club from Algerian side Paradou AC. During his time in France, he played in Ligue 1 and established himself as one of the regular and important members of Nice’s midfield.

The proposed transfer would take place with one year remaining on Boudaoui’s contract. That situation encouraged Nice to accept the offer and secure a financial return from his departure, rather than retain the player until he entered the final year of his deal.

The transfer is therefore dependent only on the final approval from the Public Investment Fund. Boudaoui is waiting for the green light to complete his medical, after which Al-Ittihad are expected to formally announce his arrival and the midfielder will begin a new chapter in the Saudi Pro League.

Boudaoui’s move would represent the latest stage of a career that began in Algeria before he moved to Nice. He spent the past seven seasons with the French club, competing in the country’s top flight and becoming a recognised part of the team’s midfield structure.

Although the agreement between Nice and Al-Ittihad is not yet fully complete, the reported €8m fee and the player’s consent mean the principal elements of the deal are in place. The remaining process is administrative, with PIF approval required before the medical examination and official signing can take place.

If that authorisation is secured, Boudaoui will leave Nice after seven years and continue his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad.