The Moroccan national team, known as the "Atlas Lions," entered their training ground one by one, kicking off their preparations in an electrifying atmosphere for their upcoming match against Scotland on Friday in Boston, part of the second round of Group C matches. Among them, Ismail Sabari, who scored Morocco's equalizer against Brazil in their first match, was notably absent from the start of the training session.
Sabari, a strong candidate for a transfer to Bayern Munich, was seen in the gym while the rest of his teammates practiced on the field. According to a member of the Moroccan coaching staff, he is expected to join his teammates later in the session. Local media have reported that Sabari may undergo a medical examination by Bayern Munich's doctor, who is present in the United States, to finalize his move to the Bavarian giants.
The German newspaper "Bild," one of the most widely read in the country, reported on Monday that Bayern Munich has reached a full agreement with PSV Eindhoven for Sabari's transfer. The deal is valued at approximately €55 million, including bonuses, and it is anticipated that the 25-year-old player will sign a contract with the German powerhouse that extends until 2031.
Meanwhile, Dutch publication "Inside Eindhoven" stated that the transfer is nearly complete, with only a few details remaining to finalize the agreement between all parties involved. The report emphasized that Bayern is continuing to spend millions, particularly the €55 million on this significant acquisition.
Komplain's Interest in Sabari
German media outlets are convinced of Sabari's added value, noting that Bayern Munich has shown interest in the PSV Eindhoven forward since their teams faced each other earlier this year in the UEFA Champions League. Belgian coach Vincent Kompany approached Sabari directly after the match to express his interest in bringing him to Bayern.
According to reports from "Bild" and "Kicker," this insistence from Kompany is a pivotal factor in the negotiations, as they claim that the high-stakes deal may not have materialized without his strong push for the player. As noted by the social media account "Bayern and Germany" on X, "Ismail Sabari will be Vincent Kompany's signing." Initially, Sabari was not among the club's top scouting priorities, but the coach was determined to add him to the roster.
Sources from Bild and Kicker further explained that Bayern had initially focused on bolstering their wing positions and did not necessarily plan to strengthen their midfield, given the presence of players like Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, and even Linhart Karl, who could fill that role. However, following a conversation with Sabari, Kompany insisted on acquiring him, ultimately leading the club to fulfill his request.
Sabari began his career at the club in Terrassa, the city of his birth in Barcelona province, before moving with his family to Belgium at the age of six. He progressed through the youth teams of Beerschot, Anderlecht, Mechelen, and Genk before joining PSV Eindhoven in 2020. To date, he has played 142 matches for PSV, scoring 42 goals, and has celebrated three league titles, along with three Super Cups in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
On the international stage, Sabari has represented Morocco in 31 matches, netting 10 goals.
As reported by france24.com.
