Moroccan Players Dominate Arab Transfer Market With Record-Breaking Deals

Rabat – Moroccan players dominated the list of the most expensive Arab football transfers of the 2026 summer window, with five internationals featuring among the top nine deals.

Morocco’s presence was led by Ayyoub Bouaddi, who completed a €95 million move from French side Lille to English giants Manchester City. The transfer made him the most expensive Arab player in the summer window and, according to the source, the most expensive Arab transfer in history.

The figures, based on Transfermarkt data cited by Al Jazeera, show a clear Moroccan dominance of the list, while Algeria has three players and Egypt has one.

Bouaddi leads the list

The 18-year-old Bouaddi tops the ranking after his €95 million transfer to Manchester City.

The move highlights the growing value of the Moroccan midfielder in the European market, with City making a major financial commitment to secure his services.

Bouaddi has already featured for Manchester City this season, including in the club’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace on August 28.

Saibari completes Moroccan top two

Morocco’s Ismael Saibari ranks second on the list after moving from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven to German powerhouse Bayern Munich for €55 million.

The transfer further underlines Saibari’s rising market value and gives him the opportunity to continue his career at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The Moroccan international has already begun his Bayern chapter, featuring for the German side in the 2026-27 season.

Ounahi and Diop also feature

Azzedine Ounahi is fourth on the list after completing an €11 million transfer from Girona to Greek side Panathinaikos.

The move marks another chapter in Ounahi’s European career after his spell in Spain.

Moroccan defender Issa Diop also appears in the ranking. He moved from Fulham to Ipswich Town for €10 million, remaining in English football while beginning a new chapter with his new club.

Zakaria El Ouahdi rounds out Morocco’s representatives in the list. The international full-back moved from Belgian side Genk to German club Hamburg for €8 million.

Algeria places three players in the ranking

Algeria is represented by three players.

Jaouen Hadjam ranks third after moving from Swiss club Young Boys to Brighton in a €13 million deal. The transfer takes the Algerian defender to the Premier League.

Yacine Titraoui joined French side Lens from Charleroi for €8 million, while Rafik Belghali moved from Italian club Hellas Verona to Torino for €7 million.

Egypt has one representative

Egypt is represented by Haissem Hassan, who completed a €6 million move from Spanish club Real Oviedo to Scottish giants Celtic.

The winger is known for his dribbling ability, while his new challenge will include improving his finishing, according to the source.

With five players in the top nine, Morocco stands out as the leading Arab nation in terms of high-value European transfers during the 2026 summer window.