Raja Club Athletic are moving to strengthen their squad in the upcoming winter transfer window, with Union Touarga winger Fouad Zahouani emerging as their primary target.
Sources cited by Site Info report that the Casablanca giants are keen to seize the opportunity to bring the left-sided player to the capital, viewing him as the ideal solution to an issue that is beginning to take shape within the squad.
Raja are preparing for the likely departure of Youssef Belammari, who is expected to complete a move to Egyptian side Al Ahly, and the club’s recruitment team believe Zahouani has the profile to fill that void.
The interest is not casual. Officials at Raja are said to have identified the Union Touarga player as the top candidate among a shortlist of potential reinforcements.
While other options are being monitored, Zahouani stands out as the preferred choice, both for his performances this season and for his ability to adapt quickly to Raja’s style of play.
The situation, however, is far from straightforward.
Union Touarga are reluctant to lose one of their key performers midway through the campaign and, according to the same source, are currently refusing to open the door to negotiations.
The club consider Zahouani central to their ambitions and are determined to keep hold of him for the remainder of the season, complicating Raja’s plans.
Behind the scenes, Raja’s management are weighing their next steps carefully.
The potential exit of Belammari has forced the club to act with urgency, but they are also conscious of the need to avoid being drawn into a protracted and costly tug-of-war.
The coming weeks are therefore expected to be decisive, as Raja assess whether to intensify their pursuit or turn to alternative targets should Union Touarga remain inflexible.
For Zahouani, the speculation comes as recognition of his growing stature in the domestic game.
His performances on the left flank have not gone unnoticed, and interest from one of Morocco’s most decorated clubs underlines the progress he has made.
Yet, for now, he remains under contract with Union Touarga, who hold the upper hand in any potential negotiations.
As the winter window edges closer, the standoff highlights the delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism in the transfer market.
Raja are eager to land what they hope will be a marquee signing, one capable of maintaining their competitiveness at the highest level, while Union Touarga are equally intent on protecting their own project.
Whether a compromise can be found remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Zahouani’s future will be one of the stories to watch when the transfer window opens.
