Beşiktaş exile paved way for Valentin Rosier’s opportune move to OGC Nice | OneFootball

OGC Nice were in talks to sign Valentin Rosier (27) from Beşiktaş in the summer, but with the French full-back still a major part of the Turkish club’s plans at the time, a move did not come about. However, the former Dijon defender’s exile in December paved the way for a move this January, Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi revealed.

“The interest isn’t anything new. I had already spoken with the manager and the sporting director in the summer. We had this synergy straight away,” began Rosier during his presentation, attended by Get French Football News.

Ghisolfi confirmed that Le Gym were interested in signing Rosier in the summer, however, the sporting director said that “the conditions weren’t aligned” for a transfer to take place. “He was a key player last summer. The club didn’t want to lose him and he was adored by the (Beşiktaş) fans,” he added.

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle

However, in December, the arrival of Beşiktaş’s new president, Hasan Arat, signalled a change. Rosier, as well as Eric Bailly, Vincent Aboubakar, Rachid Ghezzal and Jean Onana, were all frozen out at the club and told that they could leave.

“I don’t know why [I haven’t played]. The new president and Sporting Director made choices to separate us from the group,” said Rosier, who added that he is now “focused on the present” at his new club. Having not played for over a month, however, the Frenchman must first build back his fitness levels.

Rosier’s arrival has no bearing on Atal’s future

“The Beşiktaş situation was difficult. I will need time, but it will be quick because I will devote myself to [getting back to fitness],” said Rosier. In the immediate future, Rosier will compete with Jordan Lotomba for a place at right-back. Youcef Atal is currently away with Algeria on Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duty, and he has not played since being suspended by the club – as well as the LFP – for sharing an anti-Semitic post back in October.

The 27-year-old, whose contract with Les Aiglons expires at the end of the season, was found guilty of provoking racial hatred and handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, as well as a €45,000 fine, however, as reported by France Bleu Azur, he will challenge this ruling.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Atal’s future, Ghisolfi has stated that Rosier’s arrival will have no bearing on it. He is under contract. He is part of the right-backs in the team. We were after Valentin in the summer and we always wanted to strengthen in that position. We’ll see what happens between and the end of the season,” said Ghisolfi.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle