New European clubs enter race to sign Naif Akrad

More European clubs have joined the race to sign Morocco international Naif Akrad, a West Ham United defender whose future with the English club is uncertain in the final days of the current summer transfer window.

According to the French website “Foot Mercato”, the Moroccan star has become the first target of the Spanish clubs Villarreal and the Portuguese club Porto, just a few days before the closing of the Mercato this summer.

Several clubs signed Nayef Akrad this summer, including Spain’s Atletico Madrid and other French League clubs, but interested parties have gradually started to withdraw from the race for the player’s services due to his high annual salary.

The matter does not depend on the clubs Villarreal and Porto, given the particular interest shown by the Saudi club Al-Ittihad in obtaining the Moroccan defender, after having made inquiries about him in recent days.

The Moroccan player’s contract with West Ham United runs until June 30, 2027, but he wants to leave due to his inability to perform at his best with the English club, as last season he was content to play 28 matches in various competitions, during which he scored two goals and provided one assist, in total 2358 minutes played.

Defender Naif Akrad’s market value is €35 million, but interested clubs seem to be able to secure his services for a lower financial value, while his high weekly salary remains a significant dilemma, in which the Moroccan star must make clear concessions to secure a new destination.