Nice hope to be able to secure a deal for Middlesbrough's Didier Digard in the near future.
Boro in talks over midfielder's future
Nice have confirmed that they hope to be able to secure a deal for Middlesbrough's Didier Digard in the near future.
Digard spent last season on loan at the French club and they are now ready to take him on a permanent deal.
Boro are desperate to get Digard, who is believed to be the highest-paid player at The Riverside, off their wage bill.
Tony Mowbray has insisted he would work with the Frenchman, but his exit now looks to be getting closer.
After confirming a deal for Boca Juniors star Fabian Monzon, Nice boss Eric Roy said that Digard was negotiating his release from Boro.
"Fabian Monzon should be here by the end of the week, while Didier Digard is currently in discussions with Middlesbrough [from whom he has been on loan at Nice for the last 18 months] because he still has a year left on his contract," he confirmed.
"We're going to hold on to our best players and bolster the squad with a few good signings. It's the proof that we're building something here."
Digard's arrival has been backed by Nice captain Julien Sable, who said: "I hope to see my friend Didier Digard re-sign with us. I rely heavily on him as captain and he is one of our best players."
Breaks
Meanwhile, Boro have confirmed that Rhys Williams and Jason Steele have been given an extra week off after international duty over the summer with Australia and England Under-21s respectively.
"We are giving Rhys and Jason an extra week before they come back because they have been training or playing all summer," said Mowbray.
"It's important they take a break physically and mentally before they come back for pre-season training."
