Morocco’s transfer revolution: Bouaddi and Saibari headline summer of major moves

Ayyoub Bouaddi has become the most expensive Moroccan footballer in history after moving from Lille to Manchester City for €95m, while Ismael Saibari has joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven for a reported €50m.

The two deals were the biggest transfers involving Moroccan players during the summer 2026 window, which saw established internationals seek high-profile moves and several others choose clubs where they are more likely to play regularly before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bouaddi, only 18, has taken a major step forward by joining one of the Premier League’s leading clubs. The midfielder will now compete for a place in a particularly strong Manchester City squad, with the challenge of building on the promise he has shown since making his professional debut.

Saibari has also moved to a higher level after leaving PSV Eindhoven for Bayern Munich. The attacking midfielder’s transfer represents a significant change in his surroundings and comes as he looks set to assume a greater role with Morocco.

Several players involved in Morocco’s World Cup campaign also changed clubs during the window.

Neil El Aynaoui joined RB Leipzig on loan with an option to buy. His move follows an unsatisfactory spell at AS Roma, and the Germany switch is intended to give him greater exposure while helping him regain a club status closer to his importance for the national team.

Issa Diop moved from Fulham to newly promoted Ipswich Town for €10m. His strong World Cup performances helped increase his profile, and the transfer gives him the chance to continue his career in a new environment.

After their own promising World Cup campaigns, Zakaria El Ouahdi and Redouane Halhal joined Hamburg and Venezia respectively. Both moves are designed to support their development in competitive European leagues.

Azzedine Ounahi is another player whose club future remains under scrutiny. The midfielder is leaving Girona and is looking for a club career that matches the level of his performances for Morocco. He is being strongly linked with a return to Panathinaikos, where the transfer window remains open until mid-September.

For a number of current internationals and players hoping to break into the Morocco squad, securing regular football will now be the priority.

Souffian El Karouani has joined Benfica on loan with an option to buy, while Yassir Zabiri has moved from Rennes to Racing Santander. Amir Richardson has returned to Le Havre on loan and Adam Aznou has joined Malaga on a temporary deal. Each player will be expected to use the new opportunity to accumulate playing time.

The window also underlined the growing interest in Morocco’s next generation of young talent.

Morocco Under-20 international Rayan Zinebi, 19, has secured a prestigious loan move to Real Madrid Castilla, where he will aim to establish himself. Moncef Zekri, 17, has moved from Belgian club Mechelen to Sporting CP for €3m, while Ajax have signed 20-year-old Fouad Zahouani from US Touarga.

The Rabat-based club has emerged as the unexpected success story of the Moroccan window. It has also sent 18-year-old Taha Majni to Crystal Palace, although that transfer is still awaiting official confirmation.

US Touarga’s most notable sale was Tawfik Bentayeb, who joined Anderlecht for €4m. Bentayeb was the leading scorer in France’s Ligue 2 last season after scoring 18 goals on loan at Troyes. His transfer is the second-most expensive in the history of the Botola, behind Ayoub El Kaabi.