Premier League giants Newcastle United and West Ham are keen on Amine Gouiri but Nice’s director of football is convinced that the Ligue 1 hotshot is staying put, speaking to RMC Sport.
In the summer of 2020, Celtic walked away for Gouiri after deciding against meeting Lyon’s £6 million asking price.
As decisions go, this is one that has aged less like a fine wine and more like a carton of Cravendale left out in the midday, Mediterranean sun.
Nicknamed ‘the new Karim Benzema’ for a reason, Gouiri’s development on the banks of the French Riviera has been nothing short of spectacular. This season alone, he’s scored 12 goals and provided a further eight assists. And the statistics don’t even tell the whole story.
The France U21 international is more than just a centre-forward. He’s a creator and a taker of chances. Supremely self-confident with the bite to match his bark, Gouiri is a joy to watch in full flow. All tricks, flicks and trademark chips.
What next for the ‘new Benzema’?
According to Calciomercato, Newcastle and West Ham are watching Gouiri as they scour the market for attacking talent. So are AC Milan.
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, have identified the 22-year-old as a potential replacement for Erling Haaland.
“I don’t know how to answer these questions because they are so far removed from our daily lives,” explains Julien Fournier, Nice’s director of football.
“These boys (Gouiri and Khepren Thuram) are high-quality players but have their heads on their shoulders. They know that they are at a club which allows them to develop and which is competitive.
“Of course, if they continue to progress, they will join a big European club and I will wish them all the best.”
“There is an economic reality but also a sporting reality. I believe that these players feel that they are at an ambitious and serious club. I do not think that, in the short term, they want to or have any interest in going elsewhere.”
One suspects that, when they invent time machines, Celtic will be at the front of the queue. Because, in addition to Gouiri, the Hoops also missed out on the chance to sign Brenden Aaronson, Noa Lang and Stuttgart speedster Silas (below) in the last two years.
Four players who would probably set you back a combined £100 million these days.
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