FC Porto are monitoring FC Utrecht left-back Souffian El Karouani, with the Moroccan‑Dutch defender reportedly rated as a 33% chance to make the switch from the Eredivisie to Liga Portugal.
The 25-year-old, who can operate at left-back and is valued at €12.00m, is the subject of growing speculation over a potential move from Utrecht to the Portuguese giants, according to data compiled on 28 November 2025. No agreement has been reached and there is no indication of contract terms, but the interest places El Karouani among Porto’s defensive options for an upcoming window.
El Karouani’s contract situation at Utrecht is unclear in the available data, leaving open the possibility he could move in a cut‑price deal or, in future, even as a free agent if no extension is in place. His rising market value – climbing steadily since his NEC Nijmegen days to its current €12.00m mark with Utrecht – underlines how his stock has grown in recent seasons.
Born in Den Bosch on 19 October 2000, the 1.78m defender holds both Moroccan and Dutch nationality. He progressed through USV Elinkwijk Youth before joining NEC Nijmegen’s youth set-up in 2017, stepping up to the NEC first team in 2019 and then moving to Utrecht in 2023, remaining within the Eredivisie for his senior career to date.
A left-footed full-back wearing the number 16 shirt at Utrecht, El Karouani has become a key figure for the club as his valuation has risen from under €1m at NEC to multi‑million figures in Utrecht colours. The latest update, logged in October 2025, reflects Utrecht’s growing reliance on his defensive work and contribution down the flank.
Should Porto decide to firm up their interest, a move to the Estádio do Dragão would represent a significant step onto the European stage for El Karouani and could prove pivotal in shaping the next phase of his career.
