Everything seemed set, but the Nayef Aguerd case has taken an unexpected turn. While Olympique de Marseille and Real Sociedad had reached a principle agreement on a loan with an option to buy, the Moroccan defender’s transfer was ultimately halted in the final hours amid concerns over his physical condition and hesitation on the Spanish side.
According to several consistent reports, Aguerd had already completed his medical, and the deal appeared to be moving forward with a structure close to a paid loan worth between 2 and 4 million euros, along with a non-mandatory purchase option that could have reached 17 million euros. But a late reversal changed everything: Real Sociedad reportedly asked for additional guarantees, triggering a last-minute blockage and sending the deal back to square one.
For OM, this new setback further complicates an already ambitious summer clear-out strategy. The Marseille club had hoped to quickly finalize the departure of a player signed for 23 million euros just one year earlier, in order to reduce its wage bill and advance its transfer business. Nayef Aguerd, under contract with Marseille and considered an important market asset, was also supposed to free up space in a squad undergoing major restructuring.
It remains to be seen whether OM will reopen talks with Real Sociedad or whether other options will emerge in the coming days. With the transfer window nearing its close, this sensitive case highlights the fragility of Marseille’s summer transfer market, where the smallest obstacle can derail the entire process. For both Nayef Aguerd and OM, the immediate future therefore remains dependent on the next round of negotiations.