Ligue 1 clubs Lille, OGC Nice lock horns in transfer battle for veteran Super Eagles star

The two French top-flight clubs are looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of next campaign

Nigerian international and FC Nantes winger, Moses Simon, has caught the attention of LOSC and OGC Nice, as both clubs contemplate a potential move for the player, Soccernet.ng reports.

With just one year left on his contract, Simon is among the candidates likely to depart FC Nantes this summer.

And according to L’Equipe, OGC Nice and Lille have emerged as potential suitors for the winger, indicating their interest in acquiring his services.

To part ways with their valuable winger, FC Nantes are reportedly seeking a transfer fee in the range of €4 to €5 million. Per Transfermarkt, Simon presently has a market value of €9 million.

Moses Simon joined Nantes in 2019, initially on a year-long loan from Levante.

However, his impressive performances convinced the club to secure his services permanently in 2020, with Nantes paying Levante €5 million for the transfer.

Simon played a vital role in Nantes’ triumphant campaign in the Coupe de France last year, which marked the club’s first significant title in 21 years.

In the recently concluded season, the 27-year-old contributed five goals and four assists across 34 Ligue 1 matches, aiding Nantes in narrowly avoiding relegation. The team finished 16th out of the 20 competing teams.

Before his time at FC Nantes, Moses Simon had stints at Ajax, AS Trencin, and KAA Gent, followed by his move to Levante in 2018.

Notably, he achieved great success at Gent, where his exceptional performance was pivotal in securing a Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup double in 2015.

On the international stage, Simon has been a regular for Nigeria’s Super Eagles since his debut in May 2015. With 57 appearances for his country, he has netted eight goals, solidifying his status as a key player for the national team.

As the summer transfer window approaches, the future of Moses Simon remains uncertain, with Lille and Nice weighing their options and considering the Nigerian striker as a potential addition to their squads.