Ayyoub Bouaddi’s €95m move from Lille to Manchester City has made him the most expensive Moroccan footballer in history, while Ismael Saibari’s transfer to Bayern Munich highlighted an unusually active summer window for Morocco’s leading players.
Bouaddi, who is only 18, has taken a major step forward by joining one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. The midfielder will now compete for a place in a squad containing significant depth and quality, with the challenge of building on the promise he has shown since making his professional debut.
Saibari has also moved to a higher level after leaving PSV Eindhoven for Bayern Munich in a deal worth €50m. The attacking midfielder’s switch represents an important change of surroundings and is expected to increase his responsibilities as he continues to develop his role with Morocco.
Several players involved with Morocco at the World Cup have also chosen moves designed to improve their club situations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Neil El Aynaoui has joined RB Leipzig on loan, with an option to buy. His spell at AS Roma did not work out as hoped, and the move to Germany offers him the chance to regain visibility and establish a status more consistent with his importance to the national team.
Issa Diop has moved from Fulham to newly promoted Ipswich Town for €10m. His strong World Cup campaign helped raise his profile and contributed to the transfer.
After the tournament, Zakaria El Ouahdi and Redouane Halhal also moved to clubs in the “Big Five” European leagues. El Ouahdi signed for Hamburg, while Halhal joined Venezia. Both transfers are intended to give the two promising players the platform to continue their development in competitive European football.
Azzedine Ounahi is expected to leave Girona as he looks for a club career that matches the level of his performances for Morocco. He has been strongly linked with a return to Panathinaikos, where the transfer window remains open until mid-September.
For several internationals and players hoping to break into the Morocco squad, regular football will be the immediate priority. Souffian El Karouani has joined Benfica on loan with an option to buy, while Yassir Zabiri has been sent by Rennes to Racing Santander. Amir Richardson has returned to Le Havre on loan and Adam Aznou has moved temporarily to Malaga.
All four will be looking to use their new surroundings to build playing time and regain or strengthen their position in the international picture.
The window also underlined the growing interest in Morocco’s next generation. Rayan Zinebi, a 19-year-old Morocco Under-20 international, secured a high-profile loan move to Real Madrid Castilla, where he will aim to turn his opportunity into a permanent breakthrough.
Seventeen-year-old Moncef Zekri joined Sporting CP from Belgian club Malines for €3m. Ajax, meanwhile, recruited the 20-year-old Fouad Zahouani from US Touarga.
The Rabat-based club emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the window. It also sent 18-year-old Taha Majni to Crystal Palace, although that move has yet to be officially confirmed.
US Touarga’s most notable sale was Tawfik Bentayeb, who joined Anderlecht for €4m. Bentayeb was the leading scorer in French Ligue 2 last season after scoring 18 goals on loan at Troyes. His transfer is now the second-most expensive in the history of the Botola, behind Ayoub El Kaabi.