Lens set to rival Angers to sign former Brest midfielder Haris Belkebla | OneFootball

One year after his departure from Stade Brestois, Haris Belkebla (30) could make his return to Ligue 1, as RC Lens and Angers are keeping an eye on the Algerian international’s situation at Ohod.

After five years at Brest, and despite his role as one of the team’s most important players, Belkebla decided to take on a new challenge last summer. With multiple suitors queuing up, the Algerian international took on his first experience abroad, joining Saudi Arabia’s Ohod, competing in the county’s second tier. However, nothing came as planned for Belkebla, who hasn’t been paid by his club since last December. Despite this unusual situation, the midfielder decided to keep playing while hoping that the issue would be solved quickly. After managing to save the club from relegation on the final day, Belkebla sued his club to FIFA, and would be able to break his contract with a two-week delay should he not have received his salary at the end of June. The delay is now over, and without any salary received, Belkebla could leave the club on a free transfer. A situation that Lens and Angers are keeping a close eye on.

According to a report by L’Equipe, both clubs are looking for the best deals this summer following the TV rights turmoil, which will hugely affect the clubs’ finances. Hence, the experience of Belkebla, who took part in 127 Ligue 1 games throughout his career, is valuable if the player is available for free. Both clubs could have to deal with competition from Spain, as Leganes, promoted to La Liga ahead of this season, have also set their sights on the 30-year-old midfielder.

GFFN l Grégoire Devaux