Nayef Aguerd has decided against joining Real Sociedad, despite completing a medical and the Spanish club reaching an agreement with Olympique de Marseille over the Morocco international’s proposed transfer.
Aguerd had undergone the medical examination as the final stages of a return to the Basque side appeared to be under way. However, prominent Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reported on Thursday evening that the defender had rejected Real Sociedad’s offer.
The decision followed a conversation between Aguerd and Real Sociedad head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. After that discussion, the Morocco defender ultimately chose not to move to the Spanish club.
Aguerd’s change of position is regarded as a surprise because a return to Real Sociedad had appeared to be close to completion during the current transfer window. The player had already spent the 2024-25 season with the club on loan from West Ham United, producing a series of strong performances during his time in San Sebastian.
He subsequently left West Ham United to join Olympique de Marseille, but Real Sociedad had been working to bring him back to the squad. The proposed arrangement had reportedly involved another season-long loan, with the Spanish club also negotiating an option to buy the player permanently.
Earlier reports indicated that Real Sociedad increased its loan offer to approximately €4m. The agreement with Olympique de Marseille was also understood to include a purchase option worth about €11m.
Despite those terms being agreed between the two clubs, Aguerd’s conversation with Matarazzo appears to have changed the direction of the transfer. The player’s medical had already taken place, reinforcing the expectation that the move would be completed.
Instead, Aguerd has opted not to return to Real Sociedad, leaving the transfer in doubt after it had seemed to be approaching its conclusion. The Spanish club and Olympique de Marseille had reached the reported framework for the deal, but the defender’s decision means the move will not proceed at this stage.
Aguerd’s previous spell at Real Sociedad came during the 2024-25 campaign, when he was temporarily transferred from West Ham United. His performances had made a positive impression and helped create the possibility of a permanent return to the club.
That prospect now appears to have ended following the latest developments. Real Sociedad’s proposed loan, the €4m fee and the potential €11m purchase option had all formed part of the agreement reported before Aguerd’s decision.
However, the completion of a medical was not enough to secure the transfer. Following his discussions with Matarazzo, Aguerd decided against joining Real Sociedad, producing an unexpected late twist in negotiations between the Basque club and Olympique de Marseille.
