Himad Abdelli speculation intensifies as Angers face battle to keep midfield talisman

The strange case of Angers midfielder Himad Abdelli continues.

The future of the 26-year-old Algeria international, whose contract at the Raymond Kopa Stadium expires next summer, remains a subject of intense speculation after the playmaker declined the offer of an extension last month.

Lyon are the latest in a long line of clubs to express interest in Abdelli’s services, with L’Equipe reporting that the Ligue 1 club, who went into the winter break in fifth place, are preparing a €1m (£875,000) offer for the playmaker.

Abdelli has been linked with Sevilla and Olympique de Marseille in recent weeks, while Leeds also considered a move for the Algerian in the summer.

While his start to the current season was blighted by a back injury that sidelined him for three games, Abdelli’s importance to Angers is reflected not only in a contract offer that would have made him the club’s best-paid player, but also in the words of manager Alexandre Dujeux.

What has Angers boss Alexandre Dujeux said about Himad Abdelli?

“Himad is important for us, he’s a bit of a barometer for the team,” Dujeux said in November of last year, when Angers were in the throes of a relegation battle. “He plays a central role in the balance of our game. We’re working to support his development, because he hasn’t yet reached his full potential. He needs to become aware of all his qualities.

“He’s a powerful number 10, with great technical skill. He’s essential for moving the team forward and applying high pressure on our opponents.”

Dujeux has since redeployed Abdelli as a No 8, a more natural position for the Algerian, who has scored two goals in 13 outings this season. Yet the mystery remains as to why Angers did not move sooner to secure the future of a player who was central to the club’s Ligue 1 survival last season.

While initial reports suggest the club will not entertain Lyon’s cut-price offer for their captain, 10th-placed Angers remain in an invidious position. Unless Dujeux can persuade him to sign fresh terms, the club faces a choice between allowing the midfielder to leave at a fraction of his true value in January, when he will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with a foreign club, or losing him for nothing next summer.

The latest reports from France suggest Angers are nonetheless determined to retain Abdelli, who is currently on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria. A surprise omission from Vladimir Petković’s initial squad, Abdelli was called up after an injury to Al-Ittihad midfielder Houssem Aouar late last week.

It remains to be seen whether the playmaker has played his last game for Angers.