Feyenoord has submitted an official transfer bid to sign Belgian defensive midfielder Charles Vanhoutte from French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice.
The offer was made on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as the Rotterdam side looks to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming Champions League campaign.
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The 27-year-old is reportedly keen on moving to De Kuip, where he hopes to secure a more prominent role than he had in the latter part of his season in France.
The exact financial details of the opening offer have not been disclosed.
Vanhoutte's Season in France
Vanhoutte joined Nice from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2025 for a reported €6 million.
His contract with the French club runs until mid-2029, giving Nice a strong negotiating position, though the club is reportedly open to a transfer.
During his debut season in Ligue 1, Vanhoutte made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing four assists.
He started the season strongly, winning the player of the month award in September, but gradually lost his starting spot as the campaign progressed.
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Feyenoord's new technical director, Dévy Rigaux, is a strong advocate for the signing, having worked with Vanhoutte in the Belgian Pro League.
Vanhoutte previously made 146 appearances in Belgium's top flight for Cercle Brugge and Union St. Gilloise.
His performances in late 2025 earned him a debut for the Belgian national team under manager Rudi Garcia during a World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Despite three subsequent call-ups, he was left out of the final 26-man Belgium squad for the 2026 World Cup due to reduced playing time at club level.
Feyenoord's pursuit of Vanhoutte suggests the club is preparing for the potential departure of a current defensive midfielder.
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According to fan medium FR12, the club values Vanhoutte's tactical discipline, passing ability, and extensive top-level experience.
