Morocco international Nayef Aguerd will remain at Olympique de Marseille after transfer discussions with Qatari champions Al Sadd failed to produce an agreement.
The 30-year-old central defender had emerged as a target for the Qatar Stars League club, but negotiations between the two sides ended without a deal after Marseille rejected the proposed terms.
The development means Aguerd, one of Morocco’s most experienced defenders, is set to continue his spell with the French club despite interest from the Middle East.
The outcome keeps another key Atlas Lions player in one of Europe’s leading leagues as preparations continue for the upcoming season.
According to reports from Foot Mercato, Al Sadd made concrete attempts to sign the Moroccan international and held discussions with Marseille over a possible transfer.
The Qatari club is understood to have submitted an offer, but the proposal did not satisfy Marseille’s demands.
Rather than meeting the financial conditions required by the Ligue 1 side, Al Sadd proposed a package that included midfielder Mohamed Camara alongside a cash payment.
Marseille’s management reportedly considered the financial component insufficient and chose not to proceed with the transaction.
Without an agreement on the transfer structure, negotiations quickly came to an end.
As a result, Aguerd will continue with Marseille, at least for the foreseeable future.
Reports indicate that the defender’s contract contains a release clause worth €15 million.
However, that clause requires the fee to be paid in full through a single payment.
Al Sadd were reportedly unable to meet those financial conditions, leading them to abandon their pursuit of the Morocco international.
The Qatari club subsequently turned its attention elsewhere, completing the signing of Italian defender Alessio Romagnoli instead.
Aguerd remains under contract with Marseille until the summer of 2030, giving the French club a strong position over his future.
The defender joined Marseille in September 2025 from Premier League side West Ham in a transfer reported to be worth €23 million.
Before moving to England, Aguerd had established himself as one of Ligue 1’s leading defenders during his time with Rennes, earning a move to West Ham in July 2022 for a reported €35 million.
His return to French football with Marseille has allowed him to continue competing at a high level while remaining a regular figure in Morocco’s national team.
Internationally, Aguerd has earned 64 caps for the Atlas Lions and scored two goals.
He has become one of the pillars of Morocco’s defence during one of the most successful periods in the country’s football history, helping establish the North African nation among the strongest teams on the continent.
