Nayef Aguerd return to Real Sociedad moves closer after loan agreement

Nayef Aguerd is close to leaving Olympique de Marseille and returning to Real Sociedad, with the Morocco international expected to undergo a medical at the Spanish club on Wednesday.

According to Foot Mercato, Marseille and Real Sociedad have reached an agreement in principle over a loan deal that would include an option for the Basque club to buy the central defender permanently.

The move would take Aguerd back to a club where he already spent the 2024-25 season on loan. The Morocco defender made a positive impression during that spell and is now set to renew his association with Real Sociedad, only a year after joining Marseille.

Aguerd’s expected departure is part of a broader squad-reduction operation at Olympique de Marseille this summer. The French club have already seen Geronimo Rulli and Facundo Medina leave, with Aguerd now also poised to move on from the club.

Several other teams had shown an interest in the defender. Al Ittihad and Napoli were among those linked with a move, according to information previously revealed exclusively by Africafoot. However, Aguerd has chosen Real Sociedad as the destination for the next stage of his career.

The 29-year-old remains under contract with Olympique de Marseille until 30 June 2030. His estimated market value is €15m, while his annual salary in France is reported to be €4,910,000, equivalent to 3,191,500,000 FCFA.

A medical is the next significant step before the transfer can be formally confirmed. If it is completed successfully, Aguerd will return to a Real Sociedad side preparing for their second La Liga fixture of the season.

Real Sociedad are due to face Real Betis in that match. Betting odds listed by 1xBet put Real Betis at 2.05 to win, with Real Sociedad priced at 3.25 and a draw at 3.10. Those figures reflect the market’s assessment of the fixture and are separate from the negotiations over Aguerd’s transfer.

Aguerd previously established himself as an important Morocco international and has continued to attract attention from clubs outside Spain despite his short stay at Marseille. His return to Real Sociedad would therefore represent both a familiar move and an opportunity to rebuild momentum after an adventure in the south of France that now appears to be coming to an end.

The proposed loan, together with the purchase option, gives Real Sociedad the chance to assess Aguerd again before deciding whether to make his return permanent. For Marseille, the agreement would allow the club to reduce its squad and move on another high-profile player while Aguerd’s long-term contract remains in place.