The competition to sign Moroccan international Naif Akord has intensified, with Saudi club Al Ittihad strongly entering the negotiation process, igniting the race for Akord’s transfer during the current summer transfer window. This move by Al Ittihad comes amid the uncertainty surrounding the player’s future with French club Olympique Marseille and the Saudi club’s desire to strengthen its squad with an experienced defender.
Reports revealed that Al Ittihad has submitted an official offer to Marseille’s management that includes a loan with an obligation to buy, which largely aligns with the French club’s demands, as they seek 12 million euros for a permanent transfer of Akord.
This offer may place Al Ittihad in an advantageous position to finalize the deal, especially after the collapse of negotiations with Qatari club Al Sadd, which was interested in the player but is restricted by administrative sanctions preventing new player registrations.
Meanwhile, Spanish club Real Sociedad still holds onto hopes of signing the Moroccan defender, but proposes a different structure relying on a loan with a non-obligatory purchase option or financial scheduling for the deal, trying to ease immediate financial burdens.
Despite the enticing Gulf offers, expectations indicate that Naif Akord’s priority is to continue playing in European leagues, specifically to return to La Liga through Real Sociedad, reflecting his sporting ambitions.
The fate of Naif Akord remains uncertain between Al Ittihad’s desire to secure his services, the player’s insistence on staying in Europe, and Marseille’s financial conditions aimed at securing the best return from Akord’s transfer. The coming days will determine the player’s final destination in a hot summer transfer window, which will undoubtedly see exciting developments in this complex case.
