Esperance eye Al-Jazira centre-back Karim Rekik in reported Tunisia switch

Karim Rekik, the Dutch-Tunisian centre-back at Al-Jazira, has been linked with a move to Esperance in Ligue 1.

The 31-year-old joined the United Arab Emirates club from Sevilla on 30 July 2023 in a €2m transfer and remains listed as an Al-Jazira player. The reported move would see him leave the UAE Pro League for Esperance, although there is no indication that a transfer has been agreed.

Rekik has made 18 appearances in the UAE Pro League, playing 1,413 minutes. His current market value is listed at €600,000.

He began his senior career with Manchester City after moving from Feyenoord’s academy in 2011 and later played for PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Hertha BSC. He also spent time on loan at Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers before establishing himself in European football.

Rekik moved to Sevilla in October 2020 and helped the Spanish club win the Europa League in the 2022-23 season. His subsequent transfer to Al-Jazira came that summer.

The defender’s previous experience includes 64 Bundesliga appearances, 54 in the Eredivisie, 45 in La Liga and 34 in Ligue 1. He has also represented both the Netherlands and Tunisia by nationality, while Esperance are the club currently linked with his signature.