Nigerian Striker Terem Moffi has reportedly secured a move to Nice after undergoing a medical at OGC Nice ahead of his €30 million move from French Ligue 1 side Lorient on January transfer deadline day, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
After Nice made a seventh bid for Lorient, the Nigeria international missed training on Monday after Lorient’s 2-1 win over Rennes last Friday.
Nice battled Premier League sides West Ham United, Southampton, Bournemouth and Ligue 1 rivals Olympique Marseille for the transfer of the 23-year-old, who has scored 12 goals in 18 Ligue 1 appearances.
French journalist Saber Desfarges tweeted on Monday: “Terem Moffi’s medical visit, one step away from OGC Nice.”
Another journalist @AntoineGegat also tweeted a photo of the Nigerian at Lorient Airport before his departure to Nice and wrote: “Nigerian striker flies to Nice, and will sign with the club tomorrow (today). End of a two and a half season story, scoring 35 goals in 90 games Hake”.
Joining Nice was a priority for Moffi, who rejected a move to Marseille and also turned down a move to West Ham, who are currently struggling in the Premier League.
The Hammers offered £20m plus £5m for the Nigerian, but the striker was against a move to the Premier League, opting instead to continue his development in France.
Lorient stuck to their €30m valuation of the player, which was too much for the Saints and Clarets.
The deal reportedly ends a prolific two-and-a-half years in Lorient, where he scored 35 goals in 90 games for Les Merlus.
He will also become the fifth Nigerian to play for Nice after Moffi, Jero Shakpore, Victor Agali, Onyekachi Apam and Nduka Ozokwo.
