Club Africain submits formal bid for Algerian defender Belkaroui

Hicham Belkaroui (R) is contracted to ASM Oran until end of 2014 Algerian Ligue 2 club ASM Oran has received a formal bid from Tunisian side Club Africain du Tunis for the services of defender Hicham Belkaroui. The 22-year old centre back is currently on loan at second-placed Ligue 1 club USM El Harrach.
ASM Oran manager Haouari Ben Ammar has confirmed that the defender will travel to Tunis in the next few days to negotiate a transfer with Club Africain officials.
The Tunisian club has reportedly been tracking Belkaroui for a long time. A source at ASM Oran said: "Belkaroui's performances have drawn interest from Club Africain and they called us and offered to buy out the defender's contract, which runs until the end of 2014."
However, USM El Harrach, led by president Mohammed Aeib, will not let Belkaroui leave easily. The club chief intends to travel to Oran for talks with ASM Oran president, Marwan Bagour, about making the loan spell permanent.