Anouar El Azzouzi has been excluded from PEC Zwolle’s training sessions as the Moroccan midfielder edges closer to a transfer away from the Dutch club.
The 24-year-old Olympic international was notably absent from training on Tuesday, with Dutch outlet Voetbal International reporting that PEC Zwolle have granted him permission to finalise a move elsewhere.
While the identity of the destination club remains undisclosed, sources suggest that the deal is nearing completion.
El Azzouzi, who has represented Morocco at youth level, joined PEC Zwolle following spells in the Dutch football system, where he developed a reputation as a composed and technically sound midfielder.
His consistent performances last season in the Eredivisie caught the attention of several European clubs, leading to increased speculation about his future.
Earlier this summer, El Azzouzi was strongly linked with a transfer to Austrian side Austria Vienna. Talks between the two parties had progressed, and the move appeared close to completion.
However, the deal unexpectedly collapsed in the final stages, leaving the Moroccan to continue pre-season preparations with PEC Zwolle while awaiting alternative offers.
The latest developments suggest that negotiations with a new suitor have accelerated. Club officials at PEC Zwolle, acknowledging the advanced nature of the talks, have opted to excuse El Azzouzi from training in order to allow him to conclude discussions and medical assessments without distraction.
Although neither El Azzouzi nor PEC Zwolle have publicly commented on the details of the impending transfer, the decision to omit him from the current training programme indicates that a formal announcement may be imminent.
El Azzouzi’s potential departure comes at a significant moment for the player, who has entered a crucial phase of his career. Still in his mid-20s, he is eager to make a step forward, ideally to a club competing in a top-tier European league.
With experience in both defensive and central midfield roles, he offers versatility and tactical awareness that have appealed to clubs across the continent.
For PEC Zwolle, the move would mark the end of El Azzouzi’s brief but impactful stint at the club. While not always in the spotlight, he has been valued internally for his discipline, passing range, and work rate — attributes that have reportedly attracted interest beyond the Austrian Bundesliga.
As the summer transfer window progresses, clubs across Europe continue to assess affordable and reliable midfield options, and El Azzouzi’s profile fits that demand.
With no transfer fee yet revealed, it’s expected that the financial terms of the deal will reflect his potential and international experience.
Further updates regarding El Azzouzi’s next destination are expected in the coming days, with his omission from PEC Zwolle’s training seen as a clear sign that a resolution is near.
