Manchester United are keen on recruiting the services of OGC Nice defensive midfielder Hicham Boudaoui this summer, according to the Sun.
The Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim is ‘desperate’ to sign players with a more physical profile, and the 25-year-old Algeria international fits the bill, with the club watching him in action last week during a friendly game against Sweden.
However, Man United cannot sign the £20 million-rated Boudaoui, who is attracting other Premier League clubs and has suitors in Spain and Germany, until the final day of the summer transfer window – September 1.
Their minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe agreed not to move any players between the Old Trafford club and Nice to satisfy UEFA’s concerns over multi-club ownership after both clubs qualified for the Europa League last term.
The midfielder is a tireless runner and it appears his tenacity has attracted the Red Devils after he came out on top among 49 defensive midfielders in Ligue 1 for sprinting speed last term.
Boudaoui was fourth for the number of accelerations and sixth for the most high-intensity distance covered in the French top-flight.
?? Hicham Boudaoui : le marathonien de Béchar
Doté de qualités d'endurance hors normes, il est partout sur le terrain.
? Dans le top chez les milieux de Ligue 1 en :
– Nombre de sprints et distance en sprint (2e)
– Accélérations (4e)
– Distance à haute intensité (6e) pic.twitter.com/hijTFBnY4b
— Data'Scout (@datascout_) April 5, 2025
Man United need verve in the middle of the park as 33-year-old Casemiro approaches the twilight of his career, and the 5ft 9in Nice star could be a perfect long-term replacement for the Brazilian.
He was involved in 29 Ligue 1 games last term, providing 76 tackles, creating 22 chances and playing 1112 passes, while also contributing two goals and three assists in the final third.
Boudaoui is expected to leave the French club this summer after making 177 appearances for them, and a move to the English top-flight could appeal to him.
Joining Man United could be of interest to him, but there are no guarantees that there will be enough time to get a deal done before the 7pm transfer deadline on September 1, and their lack of European football could also dissuade him from agreeing to a move.