Nayef Aguerd heads to Real Sociedad for medical as Marseille talks advance

Morocco international Nayef Aguerd is due to undergo a medical at Real Sociedad on Wednesday as the defender moves closer to returning to La Liga from Olympique de Marseille.

The appointment follows an initial agreement between the Spanish club and Marseille over a proposed loan deal for Aguerd. The transfer is expected to include an option for Real Sociedad to make the move permanent.

The latest development was reported by prominent French journalist Santi Aouna, a correspondent for Foot Mercato. Aouna said on X that Aguerd would complete his medical checks at Real Sociedad on Wednesday, with the clubs having reached an initial understanding over the structure of the transfer.

Real Sociedad had previously made an opening proposal for the 29-year-old defender. That offer reportedly consisted of a paid loan worth 2.5m euros, together with an obligation to buy for 10m euros. Marseille rejected those terms.

The Spanish club subsequently improved its offer, according to media reports. The revised proposal is understood to be a 4m-euro loan, with an option rather than an obligation to buy Aguerd for 11m euros.

A return to San Sebastian would give Aguerd the opportunity to resume his career with a club where he enjoyed a successful spell last season. He played for Real Sociedad during the 2024-25 campaign after joining on loan from English club West Ham United.

Aguerd returned to England from that temporary move before joining Marseille in the summer of 2025. The French club signed him from West Ham United in a deal worth 23m euros.

The Morocco international has attracted interest from several clubs in recent days as Marseille considered his next move. Qatar-based Al Sadd were among the leading sides interested in signing him, while Rennes had also previously shown an interest.

Rennes’ pursuit was complicated by the expiry of Aguerd’s 15m-euro release clause at the end of July. With that clause no longer available, negotiations over the defender’s future have continued on the basis of a transfer agreement between the clubs.

Aguerd’s prospective return to Real Sociedad would therefore see him reunite with the club after only one season away. The current discussions centre on a loan fee of 4m euros and a non-compulsory purchase option worth 11m euros, subject to the completion of his medical and the finalisation of the agreement between Marseille and Real Sociedad.