Moroccan football sensation Ismael Saibari is on the verge of becoming Bayern Munich's first major signing of the summer transfer window, contingent upon the successful completion of his medical examinations. The German giants have reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven for a substantial fee of €55 million, paving the way for the reigning Eredivisie Player of the Season to don the iconic Bayern jersey at the Allianz Arena.
Saibari's tactical versatility has caught the eye of many, including Vincent Kompany, who appreciates the player's ability to excel as an attacking midfielder, a false nine, or even across both wings. Over the past two seasons in the Netherlands, the 25-year-old has showcased his scoring prowess, contributing an impressive 57 goals, a testament to his exceptional form that he has carried into the 2026 World Cup, where he recently scored in Morocco's 1-1 draw against Brazil.
Upon the official finalization of his transfer, Saibari will become the fourth Moroccan international to represent Bayern Munich, joining a club where his fellow compatriots have experienced a mix of fortunes and varying paths in the Bundesliga. To understand the significance of this transfer, it’s insightful to reflect on the experiences of previous Moroccan players at Bayern Munich.
Mehdi Benatia was the first of these players, arriving at Bayern in the summer of 2014 from AS Roma for a fee of €28 million during Pep Guardiola's tenure. At the age of 27, Benatia came off a stellar season in Italy and was expected to become a formidable force alongside Jerome Boateng in the heart of Bayern's defense. While he brought a much-needed physical presence to the backline, his time at the club was marred by injuries that limited his impact. Over two seasons, he made only 15 and 14 appearances in the Bundesliga, respectively, which rendered his stint somewhat forgettable.
In 2016, Benatia was loaned back to Serie A with Juventus before making a permanent move to the Turin club in 2017. Despite his struggles with injuries, he managed to secure two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal during his time at Bayern, which is a commendable achievement in light of the challenges he faced.
As reported by bayernstrikes.com.
