Belkalem has played over 80 games for JS Kabylie Algerian international defender Essaïd Belkalem has provisionally agreed a four-year contract with French club Lyon, sources have told Arabstoday. The 24-year old, currently plying his trade at Algerian Ligue Professionnelle One club JS Kabylie, met Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas in the Qatari capital Doha on Monday to discuss a potential move to France.
Both parties reportedly agreed terms on a four-year contract, and Belkalem's is expected to finalise his move in June, pending a successful medical.
French and Algerian media sources said that Belkalem had been a long-term target for Lyon, and the club sent scout Florian Maurice to follow the defender's progress at the African Cup of Nations (ACN) in South Africa.
Earlier this season, the Mekla-born centre back confirmed that he would leave Algeria after his current JS Kabylie contract expires at the end of the season.
The versatile footballer joined the Canaries in 2002 and helped them to win several titles, including the championship in 2008 and the Algerian Cup in 2011.
His impressive displays during a poor Algerian campaign at the ACN resulted in interest from several Tunisian and European clubs.