Morocco star Nayef Aguerd’s future at Marseille in serious doubt

Marseille are no longer ruling out Nayef Aguerd’s departure following a difficult debut season at the club.

The 30-year-old defender, who only joined Marseille last year, has seen his future come under increasing scrutiny after injuries and inconsistent playing time limited his impact. A groin problem not only disrupted his campaign with the Ligue 1 side but also affected his involvement with Morocco during the recent FIFA World Cup.

According to reports, Marseille’s hierarchy has softened its stance on Aguerd and is now open to listening to offers. The club reportedly no longer considers the Atlas Lions centre-back untouchable, with internal discussions already taking place over his future ahead of the close of the summer transfer window.

The change in Marseille’s position has alerted several clubs, particularly from the Gulf region, where interest in the experienced defender continues to grow. Those clubs are said to be monitoring developments closely as they await Marseille’s final decision.

Aguerd’s potential availability has also reignited interest from his former club Stade Rennais, where he established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most reliable defenders between 2020 and 2022 before securing a move to Premier League side West Ham United.

Meanwhile, Rennes have been considering a reunion with Aguerd since the end of June. The French outfit are reportedly exploring defensive reinforcements after talks with alternative targets stalled, making Aguerd an attractive option due to his familiarity with the club, the league and its playing style.

Despite the growing transfer speculation, Marseille remain in a strong contractual position. Aguerd is tied to the French giants until the summer of 2030, although reports claim a release clause worth around €15 million could make a transfer financially achievable for interested clubs.

With Gulf sides prepared to compete financially and Rennes keen on bringing back one of their former stars, Aguerd’s future is expected to be one of the transfer stories to watch before the summer window closes. Whether he remains in Marseille, returns to familiar surroundings in Rennes, or embarks on a new challenge elsewhere could depend on how quickly interested clubs decide to activate his reported release clause.