Free since the end of his contract with Deportivo Alavés, Moroccan center-back Abdel Abqar faces a pivotal career choice. While several La Liga clubs—including Sevilla FC, Valencia CF, Espanyol Barcelona, Mallorca, and Villarreal—have shown strong interest, he is also courted by highly lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. This career crossroads will likely define his future between sporting ambitions in Spain and significant financial gains in the Middle East.
Trained in Spain after passing through the Mohammed VI Academy, 26-year-old Abdelkabir Abqar has built a solid track record with 52 appearances in La Liga and Segunda División, including 29 matches last season with Alavés. Known for his discipline, game reading, and defensive solidity, his consistent performances have attracted Spanish clubs’ attention. Sevilla FC views him as a major reinforcement during its defensive rebuild, with Valencia CF and Villarreal also among the primary contenders.
However, negotiations have stalled mainly due to his high wage demands, estimated at €2.5 million net per year plus substantial signing bonuses. Thus, clubs like Sevilla and Valencia have withdrawn, while Villarreal and Espanyol have proposed significantly lower offers, around €1.5 million annually, encouraging Abqar to lower his financial expectations. Meanwhile, his agent remains open to more lucrative overseas opportunities.
This is where the Saudi temptation plays a decisive role. Several Saudi clubs have presented Abqar with dazzling offers, reaching up to $6 million per season, including signing bonuses and attractive tax advantages. On a football market experiencing significant financial expansion, such offers are hard to match by typical European standards.
An international Moroccan player since 2022 with 8 caps, Abqar is seeking both sporting growth and must weigh the immediate and long-term benefits of his next career move. Despite his attachment to the Spanish league where he developed, the call of substantially higher remuneration in Saudi Arabia could jeopardize his dream to stabilize and shine in a top-tier La Liga club.
This dilemma, reflective of many African and global talents amid the current football financial redistribution, places Abdel Abqar at the heart of a debate balancing passion for the sport and economic logic. His final decision will be closely watched by supporters, Spanish and African analysts, and transfer market observers during this summer transfer window.
