Feyenoord Set To Trigger ‘Joker’ Transfer in France

Jordan Lotomba’s time at OGC Nice appears to be drawing to a close as the Swiss defender is set to move on after three years on the Côte d’Azur.

Lotomba, who joined the club in the summer of 2020, has made 140 appearances across all competitions for Les Aiglons. However, with the arrival of Jonathan Clauss from Olympique de Marseille, Lotomba has slipped down the pecking order in defence. Now in the final year of his contract, the 25-year-old right-back is expected to depart the Allianz Riviera, as he also seeks to bolster his place in th Swiss national side.

Lotomba is reportedly on the verge of joining Dutch outfit Feyenoord, who have secured European qualification. Feyenoord, known as “De club van het volk” (The People’s Club), plays their home matches at De Kuip and are usually a dominant force in the Eredivisie. However, they’re eighth in the early table this season with a game in hand, having seen a recent clash with Ajax postponed. They also have Champions League football to look forward to, with Man City and Benfica among the opponents in the new style format.

In preparation for Lotomba’s departure, Nice have turned their attention to signing an experienced replacement. They are currently closing in on a deal for Ali Abdi with SM Caen. Abdi, a versatile left-back who can also operate on the right, is a Tunisian international with 28 caps and two goals. The 29-year-old previously played for Paris FC and has been a key figure for Caen, in Ligue 2.

According to sources, an agreement between Nice and Caen is close, and the deal could be finalised as early as Tuesday. With the transfer window closed in France, Nice is set to bring in Abdi as a post-deadline signing, a ‘joker’ signing, which is allowed under French rules. French clubs can sign one more player, after the summer window closes and before the winter one opens. The only stipulation is that the player signed has to be from another French club.

Site Opinion

It is odd that with a player slipping down the pecking order, Nice are still going to make a signing from Caen. With one allowed, and the window just closed, it feels a bit sudden, but that’s their decision.

The Joker rule is quite cool and one that does allow some movement between clubs. However, were it to be adopted in other countries, there would surely be plenty of abuse, as there always is with lax rules. Don’t let Feyenoord’s Champions League opponents, Manchester City, get a whiff of it – they’re sure to find any loophole within the rules they can, as proven by the charges hanging over their heads!

Seriously, in the middle of this is a talented player, Lotomba, making the move to a really good club in Feyenoord, and perhaps finding a way back into the Swiss team after a two-year absence.