Hamburg open talks to sign Nice striker Terem Moffi in €8m move

Hamburg have opened negotiations to sign Nigeria international striker Terem Moffi from French Ligue 1 club Nice, with the proposed deal understood to be worth about €8m.

The 27-year-old has been left out of Nice’s first-team training after falling out with the club, and Hamburg are examining whether they can provide him with a route away from his current situation.

According to Hamburger Abendblatt, discussions between the parties are progressing smoothly, with all involved keen to reach an agreement. Moffi has only one year remaining on his contract with Nice, who are insisting that he leaves the club.

Moffi returned to Nice for pre-season training after spending the second half of last season on loan at FC Porto. However, the Portuguese club decided against taking up the option to sign him permanently.

His loan spell at FC Porto produced two goals and two assists in 15 appearances. The decision not to make the move permanent meant Moffi had to report back to Nice, despite the French club’s stance that his future lies elsewhere.

The striker’s relationship with Nice deteriorated after an incident involving the club’s supporters following a league defeat last year. He subsequently endured a difficult period at the club and is now training away from the first-team group.

Moffi has also struggled since suffering a knee ligament injury two seasons ago. Despite those setbacks, he retains a strong scoring record in Ligue 1, having scored 54 goals in 148 appearances for Lorient and Nice.

Hamburg’s interest offers the Nigerian an opportunity to revive his career in the German Bundesliga, while Nice could use the negotiations to resolve the situation surrounding a player entering the final year of his contract.

The talks are continuing with a fee in the region of €8m being considered. Should the discussions lead to an agreement, Moffi would leave Nice after a turbulent spell that has included injury problems, a breakdown in his relationship with the club and an unsuccessful loan move to FC Porto.