OGC Nice have made it clear that Hicham Boudaoui will not be leaving the club this summer, effectively ending speculation about the Algerian international’s future by slapping a €30 million price tag on the midfielder.
Despite persistent transfer rumours since the close of last season, the Ligue 1 side has taken a definitive stance on the 24-year-old, signalling their intent to retain him for the upcoming campaign.
Boudaoui, under contract until June 2027, is preparing for what will likely be his seventh consecutive season with the club.
The decision is seen as strategic, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations (December 2025–January 2026) and the FIFA World Cup (June–July 2026) on the horizon.
In a year packed with international commitments, Boudaoui appears content to avoid the uncertainty that could come with a high-risk transfer.
Zero risk-taking seems to be the unwritten motto as the midfielder continues to vie for a regular spot in Vladimir Petkovic’s Algeria squad.
For Boudaoui, a move away from Nice might offer new challenges and financial incentives.
However, it also comes with potential pitfalls—chiefly, diminished playing time or an ill-timed adjustment to a new club that could derail his international ambitions.
At this stage in his career, stability at a high-performing side like Nice, who are targeting a Champions League group stage berth, is no small consideration.
Nice’s valuation is more than just a deterrent—it reflects their long-term vision.
Purchased for €4 million after Algeria’s 2019 AFCON triumph, the club now sees Boudaoui as a key piece of their European ambitions.
Franck Haise’s squad will enter the final qualifying stages for the UEFA Champions League, and the versatile midfielder is expected to play a central role in that push.
While a German Bundesliga side reportedly showed serious interest, they were ultimately put off by the steep asking price.
For now, Boudaoui remains an integral part of Nice’s preparations, having returned to training on Monday alongside fellow internationals Ali Abdi, Jeremie Boga, Evann Guessand, Antoine Mendy, and Amidou Doumbouya.
The pre-season schedule is already in motion.
Boudaoui is set to feature in several friendlies behind closed doors, starting with Cercle Bruges this Saturday, followed by matches against Aubagne on July 16 and AC Ajaccio on July 19.
The club will then travel to Grödig, Austria, where two friendlies are planned for July 26: one in the morning against Feyenoord—featuring Algerian compatriots Ramiz Zerrouki and Anis Hadj Moussa—and another later that afternoon against Sankt Pauli.
All signs point to another season on the Riviera for Boudaoui, with OGC Nice making it crystal clear: only a blockbuster offer will change that.
