Nice keeping tabs on Fenerbahçe’s Attila Szalai | OneFootball

Amid uncertainty over the futures of most of their current backline options, Nice are in the market for a new central defender, and have identified Fenerbahçe’s Attila Szalai as a potential recruit according to L’Équipe.

The 25-year-old Hungarian international was brought to the attention of Les Aiglons‘ upper management by new head coach Francesco Farioli. The pair will have crossed paths various times during the Italian’s three years managing in Turkey – first in charge of Fatih Karagümrük, and then at Alanyaspor.

Szalai has been put forward as a potential long-term replacement for Dante, who will turn 40 this year, as a left-sided central defender. The Brazilian’s centre-back partner Jean-Clair Todibo, meanwhile, has been the subject of interest from the other side of the Channel.

A Rapid Vienna academy graduate, Szalai has been with the Istanbul club since 2021, emerging as one of the Turkish league’s most authoritative defenders after his arrival from Apollon Limassol.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin