FC Porto are reported to be weighing up a move for FC Utrecht left-back Souffian El Karouani, with the Dutch-born defender rated at €15m and the transfer’s likelihood put at 33% by Transfermarkt.
The 25-year-old, who holds both Moroccan and Dutch nationality, is being linked with a switch from the Eredivisie to Liga Portugal as Porto assess options on the left side of their defence. El Karouani currently plays for Utrecht in the Dutch top flight and, according to the data, has no listed contract end date, leaving open the possibility that he could become a free agent in the future if no extension is agreed.
Any deal would follow a rapid rise in his valuation. El Karouani’s market value has climbed steadily from under €1m during his NEC Nijmegen days to €15m as of early December 2025, reflecting his development since joining Utrecht from NEC in 2023. Porto’s interest is understood to centre on his profile as an attack-minded, left-footed full-back who has established himself in the Eredivisie.
Born in Den Bosch on 19 October 2000, El Karouani came through the ranks at USV Elinkwijk Youth before progressing to NEC Nijmegen’s under-19s and then the first team in 2019. His performances there in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie prompted Utrecht to bring him in, where his continued improvement has been tracked by clubs outside the Netherlands.
There are no indications yet of an agreed fee or personal terms, and with the move rated at 33%, the situation remains at the rumour stage rather than an imminent transfer. However, Porto’s long-standing habit of recruiting emerging talent from smaller European leagues means El Karouani fits a familiar pattern.
If Porto do firm up their interest, a move to the Estádio do Dragão would mark a significant step in El Karouani’s career, offering a bigger stage in Liga Portugal and potentially European competition, and could prove a pivotal moment in shaping both his reputation and long-term trajectory.
