El Mehdi Maouhoub: Moroccan Forward Linked with Surprise Raja Casablanca Return from Dynamo Moscow

El Mehdi Maouhoub, the Moroccan centre-forward currently at Dynamo Moscow, is being linked with a surprise move back to Raja Casablanca despite having only joined the Russian Premier Liga side last summer.

The 23-year-old, born in Casablanca, swapped Raja for Dynamo on 23 August 2024 in a deal worth €1.7 million, but he is yet to make an appearance in the 2026-27 league campaign. That lack of involvement has fuelled speculation that Raja, champions of Morocco in 2023-24, are exploring the possibility of bringing him back to Botola Pro Inwi.

Maouhoub’s situation is complicated by a long-term contract in Moscow, which runs until 30 June 2029. With his current market value listed at €1m as of late May 2026, Dynamo would likely expect a fee to sanction any departure, making a permanent transfer potentially difficult to structure for the Moroccan club.

A return to Raja would reunite Maouhoub with the club where he enjoyed a standout 2023-24 season, contributing to a domestic double as Moroccan champions and cup winners. His profile has also been enhanced by international recognition, having helped Morocco secure third place at the 2024 Olympic Games, where he scored once for the Olympic team.

For now, Maouhoub remains a Dynamo player and is competing for a first-team role, with no league minutes recorded in the current Russian season. Any move back to Raja Casablanca would therefore require an agreement not only on price, but also on how Dynamo view a forward tied to the club for another three years.