Zakaria Bakkali Faces Uncertain Future Amid Contract Dispute at PSV Eindhoven
Belgian international Zakaria Bakkali’s future at PSV Eindhoven looks increasingly uncertain as the club sidelines the promising winger amid ongoing contract disagreements.
The 18-year-old Belgian of Moroccan descent has been excluded from the first team for several months after refusing to extend his contract, which is set to expire in June 2015. Now, PSV has taken the rare step of also removing him from Jong PSV, the club’s reserve side.
Bakkali, who burst onto the scene with a series of impressive performances last season, is caught in a tense standoff with club management. The dispute centers on contract renewal negotiations, which remain unresolved, leaving the young talent without any playing time.
The key question now is the timing of Bakkali’s departure from PSV. He could leave as early as January to avoid missing an entire season during a critical phase of his development, or he might see out his contract and depart on a free transfer next summer.
PSV’s stance is firm, signaling its determination to uphold club policies and send a message to other young players. The club appears willing to sacrifice one of its brightest prospects to reinforce the principle that the institution takes precedence over individual players.
