Nice close deal with Axel Witsel

Nice is on the verge of completing the signing of Axel Witsel. According to L'Équipe, the deal in principle is already done: the Belgian midfielder would commit for one season plus a further optional year, and could even arrive on the Côte d'Azur this Monday.

Witsel, 37 years old, has been without a club since leaving Girona. The Belgium international (140 caps and 12 goals) has previously played for Standard Liège, Benfica, Zenit and Borussia Dortmund, among others.

The move after Abergel

The arrival comes after the serious injury to Laurent Abergel, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament. Nice needed midfield reinforcements urgently, and Witsel's experience fits perfectly to cover the Frenchman's absence.

The operation is imminent, though both parties are calling for caution until it is formally completed. The Belgian would arrive alongside Nathan Ngoumou, another attacking reinforcement the Ligue 1 club is working on.