Until 1er February for most European countries, football clubs will be able to strengthen or reduce their workforce. Several movements are expected, some of which will concern some of the most famous African footballers.
ISLAM SLIMANI (ALGERIA)
Algerian striker Islam Slimani (32) will end his contract on June 30, and both his English club Leicester City and himself have an interest in their joint adventure coming to an end as soon as possible. After being loaned to the Istanbul Fenerbahce and then to Monaco, the 2019 African champion returned to England, where he hardly ever plays.
Untenable one year from the 2022 African Cup of Nations (CAN) and six months from the start of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Islam Slimani has touches in the Persian Gulf, Italy (Salernitana, series B) and in Saint-Etienne. But his salary is a problem, since the former striker of CR Belouizdad earns 285,000 euros per month, a price inaccessible for many European clubs, hit hard by the economic crisis linked to the health crisis. The Algerian, if he wants to continue playing in one of the best European leagues, will probably have to make some financial efforts.
MOHAMED SIMAKAN (GUINEA)
The 20-year-old Franco-Guinean defender Mohamed Simakan aroused interest in Rennes and especially AC Milan during the summer transfer window. His club, RC Strasbourg, had also refused an offer of around 20 million euros issued by the Italians. But the latter have not given up on attracting to Lombardy the half-brother of Ismaël Bangoura, the Guinean international.
And they could take advantage of the economic situation of French clubs, including Strasbourg, all weakened by the health crisis and especially the non-payment of television rights by the broadcaster Mediapro. The Strasbourg club, which is struggling to stay in Ligue 1, could be tempted to give up its defender in order to replenish its funds. On the other hand, Rennes should not return to the charge, after having spent a lot in the summer of 2020.
CÉDRIC BAKAMBU (DRC)
Three years after leaving Villarreal for Beijing Guoan, Cédric Bakambu (28) could soon return to Spain. And not just anywhere, since according to the Spanish sports daily Marca, the Congolese international striker is on the shelves of Real Madrid, looking for a player to support Karim Benzema.
Cédric Bakambu, who left good memories in Spain, earns 18 million euros in China. However, the clubs of the Middle Kingdom must, from 1er January, comply with new salary rules, by no longer paying annual salaries above 3 million euros, even if arrangements remain authorized. Cédric Bakambu, at the end of his contract on December 31, has never hidden his intention to return to Europe. And even if he could not receive in Madrid a salary as substantial as in Asia, the former Sochaux player would win there sportingly.
AÏSSA MANDI (ALGERIA)
The departure of the Algerian defender from Real Betis Balompié from Sevilla, where he will be out of contract on June 30, seems to be taking shape. Inter Milan is even the most advanced club on the record of the 2019 African champion, whose name had already circulated in Liverpool in 2020 without this track becoming concrete.
Aïssa Mandi (29 years old), who has been playing in Spain since 2016, and where he is an indisputable holder, would not be against the idea of changing air, a fortiori to join a club of a different standing than Real Betis . His market value is currently estimated at € 8million, a sum that any interested club could negotiate downward, since the defender will be free at the end of the season.
MEHDI BENATIA (MOROCCO)
At 33, and after a year at Al-Duhail (Qatar), where he will be out of contract in a few days, defender Mehdi Benatia is close to a return to Europe. The former Atlas Lions captain is of particular interest to AC Milan, who had already approached him in 2019, just before the player decided to leave for the Persian Gulf.
Medhi Benatia knows the Italian championship well, having already played for Udinese Calcio, AS Roma and Juventus in Turin. The Lombard club, who are looking for an experienced element, are able to offer him a good contract since there will be no transfer fees to be paid to Al-Duhail. But a few Turkish clubs based in Istanbul are also ready to welcome him.
