Souffian El Karouani is being linked with a move from FC Utrecht to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, with the Moroccan-Dutch left-back emerging as a potential big-money target.
The 25-year-old defender, valued at €15.00m on Transfermarkt, has been the subject of transfer speculation after strong performances for Utrecht in the Eredivisie. While no fee has been agreed and the probability of the move is currently listed only as “?”, Al-Qadsiah are reported to be exploring a deal as they continue to strengthen their squad in Saudi Arabia’s top flight.
El Karouani’s contractual situation at Utrecht is unclear from public data, raising the possibility that he could move on in the near future or even run down his terms and become a free agent if no extension is reached. For Utrecht, who signed him from NEC Nijmegen in 2023, the defender’s rapidly rising market value – climbing from under €2m in late 2023 to €15m by December 2025 – underlines both his importance on the pitch and his status as a significant asset.
Recently, El Karouani has continued to feature as a first-choice left-back for Utrecht, impressing in Eredivisie action. In a notable league outing against NEC Nijmegen earlier this season, he contributed with his usual energetic overlapping runs and defensive work in a tight encounter, helping Utrecht grind out a result and reinforcing his reputation as one of the division’s more reliable full-backs.
Born in Den Bosch on 19 October 2000, the 1.78m defender came through the youth ranks at USV Elinkwijk before moving to NEC’s academy and then their first team, remaining in Dutch football throughout his senior career. Comfortable as a left-sided defender and operating predominantly on his stronger left foot, he has experience in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie, and holds dual nationality with Morocco and the Netherlands.
If a move to Al-Qadsiah does materialise, it would mark his first venture outside the Netherlands and could prove a pivotal step, either as a lucrative switch that cements his status on a growing Saudi stage or as a platform for an even bigger move later in his career.
