As Serie A clubs sharpen their focus on Morocco’s rising talent pool, Watford winger Othmane Maamma finds himself at the center of transfer interest from AS Roma and Bologna, while two other Moroccan internationals, Zakaria El Ouahdi and Hamza El Karouani, progress through separate negotiations that could reshape their club futures this window.
Roma made the first concrete move for Maamma, a 20-year-old Moroccan-French winger under contract until 2029. The Italian club proposed a paid loan worth €1m combined with a €14m mandatory purchase option, totaling around €15m. Watford rejected the offer, reflecting a clear stance: the Championship club has no intention of selling this window and prefers permanent deals over loan structures.
Watford rejects Roma’s €15m loan-to-buy offer for Maamma, insisting on a permanent deal instead this window.
Maamma is seen internally as a key player, and his contract length gives Watford strong leverage in any negotiation. His emergence mirrors that of fellow Moroccan talent Zakaria Aboukhlal, whose own rise through the ranks has become a reference point for young Atlas Lions attackers breaking into Europe’s top leagues.
Bologna has also entered the picture, tracking Maamma as a potential replacement for Jonathan Rowe, who is expected to join Atalanta. His standout performances at the recent U20 World Cup have drawn attention beyond Italy, with Porto also reportedly interested. This suggests a developing multi-club race rather than a single suitor situation.
Transfermarkt values Maamma at around €8m, a figure well below what Watford is demanding, giving the English side room to negotiate a higher fee.
El Ouahdi’s situation with Hamburg appears more advanced. The 24-year-old Genk right-back, whose contract runs until 2028, has reportedly agreed personal terms on a five-year deal with HSV. Genk is demanding around €17m, a figure consistent with market valuations.
Hamburg has already submitted two rejected offers and recently tabled a third, aimed at satisfying Genk’s asking price. El Ouahdi has expressed a clear preference for the move, stating he is ready to sign once the clubs finalize terms. He featured for Morocco at the World Cup, including an appearance in the quarter-final against France, underlining his growing profile internationally. El Ouahdi has established himself as a key figure among the Atlas Lions, reflecting his rising importance to the national team’s defensive setup.
Together, these cases highlight how Moroccan players continue to attract serious interest across Europe’s top leagues, driven by strong individual performances and growing scouting networks focused on the country’s talent production.
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