Salim Rejects Mega UAE Move as Troubled Algerian International’s Future in Coach’s Hands

Salim Boukhanchouche has one foot in and another out of the door as uncertainty clouds the Algeria international’s future at domestic club JSK Kabylie.

Club chairman Cherif Mellal initially accepted the player to be reinstated to the first-team after doing time with the reserves as punishment for gross misconduct.

The 26-year-old was allowed back on the orders of Mellal on the condition he offers a groveling apology and accepts a two months’ salary deduction.

However, it appears Kabylie’s boss took the decision without gaffer Frank Dumas’ notice who’s away in France on an impromptu visit.

This trajectory, it was hoped, would put to bed the defensive midfielder’s troubles with his outfit until Mellal retracted, instead asking the 26-year-old to wait for Dumas’ return.

In the interim, United Arab Emirates premier league side El Fujairah, capitalizing on the ongoing fall-out, had lodged in an audacious bid to lure the player before closure of the Gulf nation’s transfer window.

The proposal would have seen the domestic Algerian team rake up $100,000 in bonuses.

Salim was given 24 hours to decide his future following chairman Cherif’s approval of the bid and willingness to see the back of a playmaker who’d repeatedly flouted training ground rules.

The former Olympique de Medea man had wanted the deal sanctioned but opted out of it in the last minute owing to the short notice.

“Honestly, I was ready to redeem my release (clause) by giving up some wages and paying the difference. But after careful consideration, I retracted,” he said.

“I had to finalize everything in a few hours since I had to arrive in the Emirates tomorrow night to pass the medical examination. I saw it as too prompt. I was afraid of everything in the air. So, I talked to the JSK leaders and let them know that it was impossible for me to leave this way,” he told the Algerian press.

Salim remains a JSK player with a valid contract until June next year but Dumas has the final say on whether or not he stays.