Benfica weigh move for Moroccan-Dutch left-back Souffian El Karouani

Moroccan-Dutch left-back Souffian El Karouani, currently with Al-Qadsiah, has been linked with a move to Portuguese club Benfica.

The 25-year-old defender joined the Saudi Pro League side from Utrecht on a free transfer on 22 July 2026. He signed a contract running until 30 June 2029, meaning any potential move would come shortly after his arrival in Saudi Arabia.

El Karouani has not featured for Al-Qadsiah this season, with the club having played four Saudi Pro League matches and one King’s Cup fixture by 31 August. He has been listed as a left-back and is left-footed.

The player began his senior career with NEC Nijmegen before moving to Utrecht in July 2023. He made the switch to Al-Qadsiah after three seasons with the Dutch club, where his market value had risen to €15m.

Benfica are the latest club to be linked with El Karouani, with the proposed move representing a return to European football after only a brief spell in the Saudi league. The Portugal side’s interest remains at rumour stage, with no agreement or transfer fee reported.

El Karouani was born in Den Bosch in the Netherlands and holds Moroccan and Dutch nationality. He remains contracted to Al-Qadsiah until the summer of 2029.