Nayef Aguerd set to remain at Marseille after late Real Sociedad breakdown

Nayef Aguerd’s proposed move from Olympique de Marseille to Real Sociedad has collapsed after an unexpected disagreement over how the Morocco defender would be managed during the opening weeks of the season.

The transfer had appeared to be virtually complete. The two clubs had reached an agreement, Aguerd had successfully completed his medical and there was a shared desire to finalise the deal. The 30-year-old looked set to leave Marseille and return to the Basque club.

However, discussions over his initial workload brought the operation to a halt.

Several sources indicate that Aguerd had reached an agreement in principle with Real Sociedad and was expected to join the club. The defender, known as the Lion of the Atlas, had recovered from the injury that cost him his place at the World Cup and was considered fit enough to play in the first game of the Liga season.

A conversation with Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo is understood to have altered the situation.

The disagreement was not related to Aguerd’s fitness or to his expected long-term role within the team. Instead, it centred on the plan for his return to competitive football during the first three league matches.

Having gone several months without playing an official game, Aguerd wanted to return gradually. His preference was to manage his workload carefully rather than immediately play three high-intensity matches in succession.

Real Sociedad’s coaching staff, however, wanted to be able to rely on him more extensively from the beginning of the season.

The issue was therefore not whether Aguerd could feature in the opening match. It was a difference of opinion over the way his return to competition should be organised and the level of involvement expected from him during the early part of the campaign.

The discussions are understood to have remained cordial, but the two sides were unable to reach a shared position. Despite the transfer being close to completion, Aguerd decided not to continue with the negotiations and is now expected to return to Marseille.

The outcome is particularly surprising because Aguerd already knows Real Sociedad, having spent the 2024-2025 season on loan at the club. That previous experience had appeared to make a return a straightforward possibility.

Aguerd must now consider alternative options with a little over two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes. Marseille are continuing efforts to reduce their wage bill and sell several players who could command significant fees.

The failed move is another setback for the French club. It follows the collapse of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s proposed transfer to Newcastle, a development that is also expected to frustrate Marseille.

Aguerd’s future is consequently still unresolved. A move away from Marseille had looked imminent, but the late dispute over his early-season schedule means he will instead go back to the club while further possibilities are assessed.