Tunisia’s quiet 2026 transfer window raises concern over European prospects

The summer transfer window has delivered no major move for a Tunisian player to a leading European club, prompting concern about the country’s declining influence in the European market.

Although several players secured new opportunities, none made the kind of breakthrough transfer that has marked previous years. The disappointing window followed Tunisia’s poor showing at the 2026 World Cup, a performance former Tunisia international Sami Allagui told Africafoot had inevitably affected the reputation of Tunisian players among European clubs.

Five moves nevertheless stand out.

Ben Ali earns chance in Turkey

Omar Ben Ali, 21, left Club Sportif Sfaxien for Alanyaspor, signing a contract that runs until 2030. The Turkish top-flight club paid 1.2 million euros for the forward, with the agreement also including a clause on a future resale, as revealed exclusively by Africafoot.

Ben Ali ended the 2025/26 season with 11 goals in the Tunisian league and now has the opportunity to develop in a more widely exposed competition. He had also attracted interest from FC LNZ in recent months.

Rekik moves to regular European competitors

Omar Rekik completed a move from NK Maribor to Ludogorets on 8 September in a deal reported to be worth around 300 000 euros.

The 24-year-old defender joins a club that regularly plays in European competition. The Bulgarian league will also provide a different environment from the one he experienced in Slovenia. Grasshopper Zurich had reportedly monitored the Tunisia international.

Skhiri returns to Cologne

The most significant move involving an established Tunisian player saw Ellyes Skhiri return to FC Cologne after three seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who previously made 133 official appearances for Cologne, has signed until June 2028. While the transfer lacks glamour, it could offer important sporting benefits because Skhiri already knows the club, city, league and surroundings.

Following a difficult period and a disappointing World Cup with Tunisia, the move could help him regain stability and regular playing time. Africafoot reported that he had several options this summer.

Ayari heads to Dunkerque

Khalil Ayari, 21, joined USL Dunkerque in Ligue 2 on a season-long loan from PSG.

The move is intended to give the young Tunisian regular senior football after his arrival at PSG and spells with the club’s youth teams. He now faces the next stage of his development: handling professional pressure, gaining experience and establishing himself in the first team.

Gharbi continues in Spain

Ismael Gharbi has joined Leganes on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

The Tunisia international’s technical qualities, including his passing, creativity, ability to play between the lines and comfort in tight spaces, could suit Spanish football. Leganes play in Liga Hypermotion, giving Gharbi an opportunity to find consistency and move closer to Spain’s top level.

These transfers offer some encouragement, but none represents a major European breakthrough. Tunisia produced talented players yet struggled to turn that potential into high-level careers, while the 2026 World Cup failed to enhance the national team’s standing.

Allagui’s assessment is therefore a wider warning: the issue is not only where Tunisia’s current internationals play, but where the next generation will be in three or four years.