Benfica have renewed their interest in Al Qadsiah left-back Souffian El Karouani, with the Portuguese club assessing whether they can complete a deal before the summer transfer window closes.
However, Benfica have not yet made a formal offer for the 25-year-old Morocco international, whose contract with the Saudi Pro League club runs until 2029. El Karouani’s lack of playing time at Al Qadsiah has opened the possibility of a late move, despite the financial difficulties involved.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports that Benfica have made enquiries about the player’s situation. El Karouani joined Al Qadsiah after his contract with Utrecht expired, having previously attracted interest from several major clubs, including Benfica, Sporting CP and FC Porto.
His attacking contribution from left-back is understood to be the main reason for that interest. During the 2025-26 season with Utrecht, El Karouani made 50 appearances, scoring four goals and providing 18 assists.
The Morocco international has yet to play in an official match for Al Qadsiah and was left out of the squad lists for the club’s opening fixtures, according to reports in Saudi Arabia. Those reports say he has encountered difficulties adapting to his new surroundings, although the principal obstacle to regular involvement is linked to the league’s foreign-player regulations.
Saudi Pro League clubs can include a maximum of eight foreign players in a matchday squad. Al Qadsiah have 14 overseas players in their squad, including Julian Weigl, Portugal international Otavio and Tijjani Reijnders, who recently joined from Manchester City.
The intense competition for places has increased the pressure on Al Qadsiah to consider moving El Karouani on. The club’s management are weighing up either a permanent sale or a loan, potentially allowing the defender to find regular football elsewhere while reducing the congestion within the squad.
Benfica manager Marco Silva is looking to strengthen the team’s options on the left side. El Karouani is viewed as a potential immediate addition alongside Sweden international Samuel Dahl and 18-year-old Jose Neto.
Despite that interest, Benfica are also monitoring several alternative targets and are reviewing all available options before deciding whether to make a formal approach.
Any agreement would present a significant financial challenge for Portuguese clubs. El Karouani’s contract with Al Qadsiah has four years remaining, while his reported annual salary of about €7m would make it difficult for Benfica or other clubs in Portugal to match his current terms.
Nevertheless, his exclusion from Al Qadsiah’s early matchday squads and the club’s sizeable foreign contingent could give Benfica an opportunity to act in the final stages of the transfer window. The situation may therefore develop quickly if Al Qadsiah decide that a sale or loan is preferable to retaining a player who has not yet featured competitively.