Aïssa Mandi Reflects on Missed Transfer Opportunity, Commits to Reims for the Season
Algerian international Aïssa Mandi has confirmed he will remain at Stade de Reims for the current season, despite widespread speculation linking him with a move to Italy during the recent transfer window.
Speaking to FIFA.com, the 24-year-old defender opened up about the situation, revealing that a transfer did not materialize simply because the right opportunity never came. “Towards the end of the transfer window, there were no more doubts. I didn’t get the offers I wanted,” Mandi explained. “But in my mind, staying at Reims was absolutely not a failure — everything is fine.”
While there had been expectations that Mandi might make the leap to a higher-profile club, possibly in Serie A, the versatile defender made it clear that he was only ever going to leave for a significant step forward in his career. “If I could have reached an agreement with a big club, I would have joined them to progress even further. But I’m very happy in Reims, and my whole family lives here,” he added.
A product of the Reims youth academy, Mandi has grown into a central figure in the team’s defence. Originally known for his work as a full-back, he has now firmly established himself in the heart of the back line — a role in which he feels increasingly confident.
“I feel good in the centre of defence, a position that I like and in which I intend to settle,” he said. Mandi also reaffirmed his commitment to both club and country, expressing his readiness to rise to any challenge, whether in Ligue 1 or with the Algerian national team.
As the season unfolds, Mandi remains focused on continuing his development in Reims while keeping one eye on future opportunities — should the right one arise. For now, however, the Fennec is fully committed to contributing to his hometown club’s ambitions.
