After a turbulent end to the season, the HAC finally secured its third consecutive stay in Ligue 1. Despite limited resources, theformer sports director played by Mathieu Bodmer proved that she knew how to make shots on the summer transfer window. The latter has left but Mohamed El Kharraze, his former deputy, should take over. And he will have his work cut out for him…
Exactly, we presents some names that could interest the HAC in this transfer window ! Obviously, it is about free players who could correspond to the means of the senior clubwhich should still have a very limited transfer envelope at best, and at worst non-existent.
Please note, this article mentions free players on the market. This is in no way information on any interest of the HAC. It was produced in collaboration with Clément from Space HAC whom we thank for his help. In this first episode, we focused on the defensive sector. The position of guardianthe midfield and attack will do itsubject of other articles which will be published quickly.
Defense, the huge project of the transfer window!
If since the rise of the HAC in 2023, the defense was the safe bet of the Le Havre squadwe will undoubtedly witness a revolution which will reshuffle the cards in the rearguard sky & sea. Captain for four seasons, Arouna Sanganté will leave freely Porte Océane for Andalusia and Sevilla FC. His friend since Ligue 2, Gautier Lloris, at the end of his contractcould also pack his bags.
He also at the end of his contract, Etienne Youté, will close a somewhat tumultuous adventure with the HAC. If Loïc Négo has a one-year option according to Paris-Normandie, it would not be surprising to see him leave. Finally, there is little chance that the Le Havre management will be able to keep Ayumu Sekowho already has a good market value and will play the World Cup in North America with Japan.
The HAC could therefore ne conserver that Stephan Zagadou as central defender. A real construction site! Especially since the young Le Havre player will still be injured for a good while during the first part of the season. The position of left lateral is definitely one of the positions that offer the more certainties before next season with the presence of Koffi and Zouaoui. Unless the latter is sold…
Who will replace Négo in the event of his departure?
Ideal profiles : Koffi Kouao
The 27-year-old Ivorian full-back is one of the only Mets to have survived in a team in great difficulty this season. Arriving in 2022 in Metz coming from Portugal where he began his career, Kouao was one of the major artisans of the rise of Lorraine. Before unfortunately playing much less the following season in the elite. But last year, Kouao found his place and returned with Metz. And this time, Stéphane Le Mignan and Benoît Tavenot left him a frame role in garnet eleven. His profile latéral très actif could be perfectly suitable to compensate for a possible departure of Négo. However, there will be a lot of competition on the file. In fact, the side was already in negotiations from January with the Turkish club Kayserispor according to L’Equipe.
Interesting second choice: Alec Georgen
In a slightly less athletic but more technical profile, Alec Georgen could be an interesting prospect. Pillar of Dunkirk’s defense, 10th in Ligue 2George fut formé au PSG. His career struggled to take off after a failed start in the Netherlands. The 27-year-old full-back then relaunched in Normandy near Avranches. Auxerre then recruited him but he did not impose himself. And that’s it Concarneau whose career took another turn. Spotted by Dunkirk, he enjoyed three full seasons in Ligue 2 between these two clubs, punctuated by a nomination as best right side in L2 this season. Enough to certainly allow him to move on to Ligue 1 this summer. Unfortunately, there is also concurrence à l’étranger since L’Equipe announced on Sunday that Darmstadt was on the file.
Other profiles:
Warren Kamanzi and Djibril Sidibé (Toulouse), Alpha Sissoko (Guingamp), Romael Pierre-Gabriel (Dinamo Zagreb), William Mikelbrancis (Hamburg).
Make discoveries in the area!
If the HAC will have to recruit several players at the central defender position, the equation risks being complicated… There is indeed interesting free profiles such as Burgess (Union Saint-Gilloise), Marlon (Shakhtar) ou Duarte (Basaksehir) but their current emoluments are much higher what the HAC can offer. We therefore offer you two slightly different profiles!
Premier profile ideal: Dan-Axel Zagadou
Both have roughly the same profile. Two very great French and Dutch hopes hampered by injuries. The first knows the HAC well! And for good reason, his petit frère Stephan Zagadou began his professional career with the senior club this season. Dan-Axel was also present for the signing of his professional contract. The 26-year-old central defender trained at PSG had made the choice to leave the capital club for signer at Borussia Dortmund in 2017. He started the season as a starter before experiencing a first muscle tear… The beginning of the ordeal… More or less serious injuries followed each season… Contusion of the metatarsal then cruciate ligament injury followed by knee surgery. In 2022, it left Dortmund for Stuttgart.
He who was destined to become the central defender of the French team then had to resign himself to first regain a regular shape. what the fuck almost the case in Stuttgart with 36 matches over the first two seasons. But at the end of the 2023-2024 season, it suffered another rupture of the cruciate ligament. A completely blank season and a half… Before experiencing a new year almost blank this season after a muscular problem !
Deuxième profile ideal: Mees Hilgers
Like Zagadou, it is a profile to be completely restarted. The only condition, moreover, for profiles as talented as these to be interested in a club which is aiming to remain in Ligue 1… Mees Hilgers is a 25 year old central defendersmaller than Zagadou (1.85m compared to 1.96m) but also promising in his younger years. He was formé à Twentewhere it still evolves.
International hopes with the NetherlandsHilgers finally chose Indonesia as selection in A. Regular starter in a club which very often targets EuropeHilgers is a sure value of Twente. But last season was nightmarish for the Indonesian defender… cruciate ligament rupture who did not allow him not playing a single minute this season. While his recovery could be complicated, Hilgers has a less extensive injury history than Zagadou and could certainly get back into shape more quickly than the Frenchman. In both cases, players will have to make financial sacrifices… The HAC will be more of a sporting choice to get started again than an El Dorado…
Interesting second choices: Jean Hugonet and Idris Mohamed
Beyond these two profiles which are still risky bets, other central defenders bring perhaps less sporting certainties but much more regularity. Among them, two names stand out. That of Jean Hugonet could be an interesting profile for the HAC. THE 26-year-old defender trained at PFC had a complicated start to his career. But after passing through Saint-Malo then via Austriahe is establishing himself as a reliable defender in Magdeburg, in the German 2nd division. From his second season in Germany, he became indisputable holder. His few absences this season are due to an injury at the end of 2025. return to France for a first in Ligue 1 could attract him without necessarily having significant requirements in terms of salary.
Another profile who could have his first experience in Ligue 1 at HAC is Idris Mohamed. HAS 22 years old, the 1.96m defender became unmissable at Puy Foot7th in National. He was theone of the major artisans of the very beautiful season of the Auvergne club which finished among the best defenses in National. And this, whilehe arrived from FC Rousset (National 3) at the start of the season. Obviously, Idris Mohamed could be more suitable for a role in the rotation only in an indisputable starting place This is the premiere season.
Other profiles:
Dimitri Lavalée (Sturm Graz), Javi Castro (Racing Santander), Jean Ruiz (Pau)
In the case of Zouaoui or Koffi…
The ideal profile: Ghislain Konan
After an Ivorian right side, here is his compatriot on the left side. Ghislain Konan could indeed be perfectly suited to the HAC. He also trained in Portugal, the 30-year-old defender knows Ligue 1 since he passed through Reims. Four seasons, including the last two during which he was an indisputable starter. He then flew to Saudi Arabia. Eager to return to Europe after two seasons and two different clubs in Saudi Arabia, Konan surprisingly signed for Burgos, in the Spanish 2nd division. Six months later, he left Spain for Portugal and Gil Vicente. In the Barcelos club, he completely relaunched himself with a very successful season. What allow him to compete in the World Cup with Ivory Coast… But also to aim higher! Negative point: the HAC will certainly not be the only L1 club interested…
Second interesting choice: Arthur Zagré
He is much younger than Konan but could also apply for a starting place in Porte Océane in the event of his arrival. It’s Arthur Zagré! At 24, the full-back trained at PSG and bought for €10 million by Monaco in 2019 has not yet succeeded in establishing itself in France. But by going into exile in the Netherlands, Zagré clearly made the right choice! If in Utrecht his passage was complicated, his arrival at Excelsior Rotterdam was a success ! Used to playing sustain with the Excelsior, Zagré knew three and a half seasons as an indisputable starter. And he even managed to show himself decisive with 6 goals and 9 decisive assists in three seasons.
Other profiles:
Kevin Rodrigues (Gaziantep), Hassane Kamara (Udinese), Mehdi Dorval (Bari)
Photo credit: USL Dunkerque
