And here we were thinking West Ham United’s interest in Eredivisie assist-king Souffian El Karouani was over, the Morocco international remaining at FC Utrecht beyond the January transfer window.
Reports three weeks ago had claimed that El Karouani was joining Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah outfit in the Saudi Pro League.
Reports the left-back has since dismissed.
It is no secret that El Karouani was keen on a move to West Ham, meanwhile. The set-piece specialist called West Ham United a ‘great club’ while batting his eyelashes in the direction of Nuno Espirito Santo.
How far can Malick Diouf go? And what does he need to do to become a world-class left-back?
But, did the re-emergence of Ollie Scarles put an end to the Hammers’ interest? While Scarles thrived during El Hadji Malick Diouf’s Africa Cup of Nations-enforced absence, speculation suggesting that the Utrecht ace was ‘on his way’ to the London Stadium dissipated.
Until now.
West Ham United are reportedly still keen on Utrecht’s Souffian El Karouani
According to Africa Foot – the same publication which broke the news that West Ham were watching Nigerian enforcer Tochukwu Nnadi before his deadline day switch to Marseille – the Londoners remain among ‘the most serious clubs monitoring Souffian El Karouani’s situation’.
Africa Foot claim that there is also interest from Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Besiktas, Wolfsburg and Premier League rivals Leeds United. However, they insist that West Ham and Fenerbahce are currently the two clubs at the front of the queue.
El Karouani will be a free-agent this summer when his contract expires.
“Souffian is in no hurry,” a source says. “He will wait for the summer transfer window to calmly analyse the offers and choose the most suitable project for the next stage of his career.”
Eredivisie Assist King called the Hammers a ‘great club’
The fact that El Karouani has already spoken in glowing terms about the 2023 Europa Conference League winners should give West Ham plenty of reason for optimism, though it remains to be seen how he fits in to a squad already containing Diouf and Scarles.
“I will sit down with my father and agent and assess the situation. But first, I’ll focus on these [final matches of 2025/26],” El Karouani told the media recently.
“[A move to England] could happen. [West Ham] is a great club.”
Still only 25 and capped five times by the Moroccan national team, the Dutch-born El Karouani is one of the most potent chance creators in all of European football. With his wand of a left foot, the flying full-back has provided 16 assists in 38 matches this term across all competitions.
One of those came against West Ham’s relegation rivals Nottingham Forest in the Europa League in November. A trademark booming free-kick converted at the back post against Nuno’s old employers.
“He has a truly amazing left foot,” former Dutch international Rene Van der Gijp told Vandaag Inside. “Hardly any free kicks end up [going back to] an opponent.”
El Karouani would face El Hadji Malick Diouf battle as Alpha Toure opens the door
El Karouani is not the only player who has spoken out about his interest in joining the Premier League.
Metz starlet Alpha Toure opened the door to West Ham himself in an interview with the very same publication which talked up El Karouani’s potential departure from Dutch football.
“It’s always flattering when clubs like West Ham or Besiktas are interested in me,” Toure tells Africa Foot after West Ham reportedly failed with a £6 million bid for Malick Diouf’s young compatriot.
“But I’m under contract with Metz and I’m very focused on my season. I leave that to my representatives and the club. I’m focused on the pitch. As long as I’m wearing the Metz jersey, I’ll give 100 per cent.
“The Premier League is a very intense league, with a lot of pace and physicality. It’s a dream for many players. But one thing at a time.”
For the time being, West Ham will go into Saturday’s clash with Liverpool hoping that their own Senegalese starlet can take his tally of assists to five.
Diouf set up Taty Castellanos’ header at Burnley recently. His first assist since Nuno replaced Graham Potter at the end of September.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
