Olivier Pantaloni announced in a press conference that Hicham Boudaoui will not leave OGC Nice. The Algerian midfielder had reached an agreement with Al-Ittihad, but his coach now considers his departure to be abandoned. Pantaloni stated that the move did not happen and that Boudaoui will remain with them. He added that the player is ready to prepare again to be part of the group and that any idea of a departure has been abandoned. Pantaloni also said that Boudaoui will integrate with the group starting the following week.

L'Équipe reports on the unexpected transfer direction of Hicham Boudaoui, who was initially heading to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

After several weeks of negotiations, all parties have reached an agreement for the transfer of Hicham Boudaoui. The deal with Al-Ittihad is for around 8 million euros and a three-year contract for the Algerian. The deal is finalized and awaits final approval from PIF, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, to be made official in the Saudi Pro League. Hicham Boudaoui is under contract with OGC Nice until 2027 and was set to depart this summer.

Nice is in advanced discussions with Al-Ittihad and is close to finalizing the departure of its Algerian midfielder, Hicham Boudaoui. Discreet exchanges between the two clubs have occurred in recent days regarding the 26-year-old, who was also monitored by Saudi clubs last summer. The player, whose contract is valid until June 2027, had a strong desire to leave this summer, a desire that was also shared by the club's management. On Tuesday, he was training separately. Boudaoui is expected to leave the club seven years after his arrival from Paradou, and the sale will assist Nice in moving closer to the €70 million savings target established by its owner, Ineos. He has 36 caps for the Algerian national team. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is €12.00m.