Nice chief Julien Fournier has recalled coming close to signing Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech.

OGCN's move for Ziyech came in 2016 when he was about to leave FC Twente for Ajax.

Fournier told Nice-Matin: “We were going to meet him … At the time, the players had a look at OGC Nice that they no longer have today.

"We didn't exist for them. When I tackled this player, we didn't exist, I didn't realise.

"Yes, he snubbed us and I totally understand that. Back then he had Ajax, he had other big clubs. OGC Nice for him was not representative."