Sporting recently made an approach for FC Utrecht's 25-year-old Moroccan international left-back Souffian El-Karouani, whose contract is set to expire in June. Leeds also submitted an approach for the player very recently. Despite this interest, El-Karouani could instead move to OM, as the French club has reached an agreement in principle with his entourage after scouting him for several months. El-Karouani joined Utrecht in July 2023 and has 5 caps for Morocco. In the current 2025/26 Eredivisie season, he has scored 2 goals and provided 9 assists in 18 appearances. Transfermarkt estimates his market value to be €15.00m. During the current window, it was reported that a proposal was made by Marseille of around €3 million.