European Clubs Target Young Talents from Morocco’s Mohammed VI Football Academy

This summer will be marked by the recruitment of young players trained at the Mohammed VI Academy, reports Foot mercato. European clubs have ticked the names of some on their lists. The success of Youssef En Nesyri (Sevilla), Nayef Aguerd (Rennes) or Hamza Mendyl (Schalke 04), all players from the Mohammed VI Academy, is behind this enthusiasm. Several young Moroccan players are about to leave Morocco to join professional clubs in Europe.

Tawfik Bentayeb. This 19-year-old winger is on the radar of several Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs. He performed well in the last U17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 with Morocco. With 5 goals scored, he had been elected man of the match several times during the competition. In Ligue 1, SCO d’Angers and FC Lorient want to have him in their squad at the end of the season. They have already taken steps with the Mohammed VI Academy, including a visit to Morocco. In Ligue 2, Sochaux has revealed its intention to recruit the young talent. In Morocco, it is Raja Casablanca that is in negotiations with Tawfik Bentayeb.

Anas Nanah. After successfully passing tests with Olympique de Marseille at the end of last season, the European club had not retained him because he was not yet of legal age. The 18-year-old left-back interests Nasser Larguet, director of the Marseille training center and also former technical director of Morocco. Nanah’s performances also seduce André Villas-Boas, the Portuguese technician. Coach of OM, he had asked his management to keep the player to integrate him into the professional group at a time when Jordan Amavi was still injured. After the departure of the former Tottenham coach, the Phocaean club wants to have Nanah in its squad.

Another name: Mohammed Amine Essahel, an 18-year-old player, overclassed in all youth teams. He is on the lists of several Spanish clubs. FC Barcelona had in the meantime followed him, but refuses the financial demands of the Moroccan training center. The AMF was asking for a sum well above 500,000 euros. The midfielder also interests Real Sociedad but must pay a colossal sum.

Omar Sadik and Mohamed Jaouab (1m98) complete the list of probable departures. The first, a young 16-year-old striker, has performed well in the Al Kass International Cup against PSG and Inter Milan. Often compared to Nayef Aguerd, the central defender Mohamed Jaouab has a good profile. He too should leave the Mohammed VI Academy this summer.