Porto monitoring Morocco prospect Ali Maaroufi as Anderlecht resist summer move

Porto are tracking emerging Morocco right-back Ali Maaroufi but have yet to make a formal offer to Anderlecht for the 21-year-old defender, according to reports in Belgium.

The Portuguese club have placed Maaroufi on a shortlist of options to strengthen the right side of their defence during the current transfer window, after his standout performances for Anderlecht last season.

However, the Belgian side are understood to be determined to keep hold of the academy graduate this summer, particularly as they are already short of options at right-back.

Anderlecht reluctant to sell

Belgian reports, relayed by Moroccan outlet “البطولة”, say Porto’s interest in Maaroufi remains at the monitoring stage, with no official bid submitted to Anderlecht so far.

Maaroufi is currently seen as a key member of the Anderlecht squad, with injuries to fellow right-backs Killian Sardella and Ilyas Camara leaving the coaching staff heavily reliant on him in that position.

That situation has strengthened Anderlecht’s resolve to retain the player, despite the prospect of a move to one of Portugal’s leading clubs.

Academy product with growing profile

Maaroufi came through Anderlecht’s youth system and has gradually established himself in the first team after making his senior debut in the Belgian league against Club Brugge on 12 January 2025.

Since that first appearance, he has gone on to play 54 matches for the Anderlecht first team in all competitions, enhancing his reputation as one of the most promising Moroccan defenders of his generation.

His club form has been mirrored on the international stage. Maaroufi was part of the Morocco youth side that won the most recent FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Chile last year, further raising his profile in European scouting circles.

Porto weighing options on right flank

Porto are believed to be assessing several candidates to reinforce their right flank, with Maaroufi among the names under consideration rather than the sole target.

For now, the Portuguese giants are content to keep the Morocco youth international on their list of potential signings while they evaluate the market and their priorities for the remainder of the summer window.

Any concrete move is likely to depend not only on Porto’s final recruitment strategy but also on whether Anderlecht can resolve their shortage at right-back, which currently makes Maaroufi difficult to replace.

The situation leaves the defender’s future open as the transfer window progresses, with Porto’s interest noted but no negotiations yet under way between the two clubs.