CR Belouizdad has begun official negotiations to sign Esperance winger Kessila Boualia as head coach Nabil Maaloul continues efforts to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.
Sources close to Esperance have indicated that the Algerian club has formally approached the Tunisian side during the current summer transfer window in an attempt to secure the services of the Algerian winger.
The move is the latest step in Maaloul’s rebuilding project at CR Belouizdad, with the coach aiming to assemble a squad capable of challenging for both domestic and continental honours.
If the transfer is completed, Boualia would become the second Esperance player to feature prominently in Belouizdad’s recruitment plans this summer.
Official offer submitted to Esperance
According to sources, Esperance has already received an official proposal from CR Belouizdad.
However, the Tunisian club is not prepared to approve the transfer unless it receives a financial offer that reflects the player’s market value.
Negotiations are continuing, although no agreement has yet been reached between the two clubs.
Belouizdad’s interest follows earlier reports linking the Algerian club with a move for Esperance midfielder Houssam Tekka.
The pursuit of multiple players from the Tunisian club underlines Maaloul’s intention to reshape his squad with footballers he believes can immediately strengthen the team.
Boualia’s future appears uncertain
Boualia’s prospects at Esperance have become less certain after reportedly falling out of the plans of head coach Laurentiu Reghecampf.
The Romanian coach is understood to have recommended in his technical report that the winger could be allowed to leave during the summer transfer window.
The recommendation comes as Esperance seeks to refresh its squad through new signings, including a move for Libya international Al-Mu’tasim Al-Musrati.
Those planned additions could further reduce Boualia’s opportunities, making a departure a realistic possibility before the start of the new campaign.
Strong first season at Esperance
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Boualia enjoyed a productive first season after joining Esperance in the summer of 2025 from JS Kabylie.
The winger signed a contract running until June 2029 and quickly established himself within the squad.
Across all competitions, he made 30 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists.
He also won four penalties during the campaign, making a significant contribution as Esperance lifted the Tunisian Cup.
Those performances have helped maintain his value despite the possibility of an early departure from the club.
Maaloul continues rebuilding project
For CR Belouizdad, the pursuit of Boualia forms part of a wider recruitment strategy overseen by Nabil Maaloul.
The Tunisian coach has been working to reshape the squad ahead of the new season, targeting experienced and technically gifted players capable of competing at the highest level.
Interest in Boualia follows the club’s earlier links with Houssam Tekka, suggesting that Maaloul views the Esperance squad as an important source of potential reinforcements.
While Esperance remains reluctant to sanction the winger’s departure without an offer that matches its valuation, discussions between the clubs indicate that Boualia’s future could become one of the notable transfer stories of the summer.
Whether the negotiations ultimately lead to an agreement will depend on CR Belouizdad meeting Esperance’s financial expectations as Maaloul continues to pursue the players he believes can strengthen his side for the challenges ahead.
