Porto track Morocco right-back Ali Maaroufi but Anderlecht reluctant to sell

Porto have identified rising Morocco defender Ali Maaroufi as a potential summer signing, but the Portuguese club have yet to make a formal offer to Anderlecht for the 21-year-old right-back.

The Primeira Liga side are monitoring Maaroufi after his impressive displays for Anderlecht last season, according to Moroccan outlet “البطولة”, which cites Belgian media reports. The full-back has been placed on a shortlist of options as Porto assess how to strengthen the right side of their defence during the current transfer window.

At this stage, Porto’s interest remains exploratory, with the club understood not to have opened official negotiations or submitted a bid. Maaroufi is one of several players being considered for the position rather than a confirmed primary target.

Anderlecht keen to keep key defender

Anderlecht, however, are firmly opposed to losing the defender this summer, particularly given their current shortage at right-back.

The Belgian side are dealing with injuries to both Killian Sardella and Ilias Camara, leaving the coaching staff short of options in that area of the pitch. As a result, Maaroufi has become a central part of Anderlecht’s plans and is viewed as an important figure in the squad for the coming season.

This situation makes any potential departure complicated, with Anderlecht’s stance influenced as much by squad depth as by the player’s development and recent form.

Academy graduate with growing experience

Maaroufi is a product of the Anderlecht academy and has steadily established himself in the first-team set-up.

He made his senior debut for the Belgian club on 12 January 2025 in a league match against Club Brugge, and has since gone on to make 54 appearances in all competitions for the first team.

Those performances have drawn attention beyond Belgium, with Porto now closely following his progress as they plan their recruitment for the right-back position.

International pedigree with Morocco

On the international stage, Maaroufi has already enjoyed success at youth level with Morocco.

He was part of the Morocco Under-20 squad that won the most recent World Cup held in Chile last year, adding a major international trophy to his early career achievements and enhancing his reputation as one of the country’s emerging talents.

For now, Porto are keeping the defender under observation while Anderlecht, dealing with an injury-hit right-back department, are intent on building around a player they consider one of their key young assets.