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A string of Arab footballers made major headlines in the 2026 summer transfer window before registration shut across Europe’s top leagues on the evening of Tuesday, 1 September. The window featured record-breaking deals and dramatic switches for a number of leading Arab stars.

Morocco’s Ayoub Bouaddi stood out as the biggest Arab transfer of the window after completing his move from Lille to Manchester City. At the same time, Mohamed Salah opened a fresh chapter away from England by joining Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Bouaddi makes history

Ayoub Bouaddi has left Lille for Manchester City on a five-year contract, according to the British news agency.

City completed the signing of the 18-year-old from the French club in a record transfer worth £68.5 million, which is around $116.6 million.

The fee breaks the previous mark for the most expensive sale from the French league to an overseas club. It also makes the Moroccan midfielder the costliest signing in the history of Arab football.

Bouaddi arrives as part of City’s plan to reshape their midfield, an area where the club invested heavily during the summer transfer window.

Mohamed Salah surprise: Egyptian transfers

Mohamed Salah has brought his time with Liverpool to an end after mutually terminating his contract with the English club, before signing a two-year deal with Trabzonspor.

The Egypt captain will earn an annual salary of €17 million, beginning a new spell in the Turkish league after his long stay at Anfield.

He has settled quickly, scoring 3 goals in his first 3 league matches.

Omar Marmoush departed Manchester City to join Tottenham in a deal that includes a compulsory purchase clause worth €58.5 million, which will be activated in the summer of 2027. The Egypt international becomes the third Egyptian player to wear the Tottenham shirt after Ahmed Hossam Mido and Hossam Ghaly.

Haitham Hassan secured his transfer after impressive displays at the World Cup, leaving Spain’s Real Oviedo for Scotland’s Celtic on a four-year contract.

Mostafa Mohamed also moved from France’s Nantes to Turkey’s Konyaspor, signing a three-year deal. The striker was seeking regular minutes and stability after a period in the French league that had turned into a major crisis before his departure.

Strong Moroccan business: Saibari to Bayern

Moroccan star Ismael Saibari benefited from his outstanding World Cup performances. He completed an official transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich during the 2026 summer transfer window in a major move aimed at strengthening the Bavarian club’s midfield. Saibari signed a contract until 2031 while still taking part in the World Cup, with several reports putting the value of the deal at €55 million.

Sofyan Amrabat, meanwhile, returned to the Dutch top flight with Ajax Amsterdam after ending his contract with Fenerbahce by mutual agreement.

The Amsterdam club announced the signing of the Moroccan midfielder on a free transfer and awarded him a contract that runs until 30 June 2028.

Morocco international Issa Diop left Fulham for Ipswich Town on a contract that will keep him there until 2030. Adam Aznou also returned to Spain, joining Malaga on loan from Everton.

RB Leipzig confirmed the arrival of Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui on loan from Roma. The move went through several difficult stages and came close to collapsing completely.

Neil El Aynaoui told Leipzig’s official website: “RB Leipzig has an excellent reputation, and its style of play, with its high intensity, dynamism and ambition to possess the ball, suits me perfectly and matches my strengths. I am eagerly looking forward to joining Leipzig, getting to know the city, and taking on the upcoming challenges in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the German Cup.”

Sofiane El Karouani, meanwhile, left Saudi club Al-Qadsiah for Benfica in a deal that gives the Portuguese side the option to make the transfer permanent by June 2027.

Hajjam and Skhiri: and the Ait-Nouri twist

Brighton have completed the signing of Algerian full-back Jaouen Hadjam from Swiss side Young Boys on a deal that runs until the summer of 2031. The English club did not disclose the transfer fee. Technical director Mike Cave described Hadjam as an excellent addition who would improve the team’s existing defensive choices.

Another Algerian almost stole the show. Manchester United pushed to sign left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri in the closing hours of the transfer window, but Manchester City insisted on a mandatory purchase clause at the end of the loan spell. That condition ended the move, and United withdrew, according to Sky Sports.

Elsewhere, Tunisia’s Ellyes Skhiri has returned to Germany’s Cologne from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 31-year-old had previously played for Cologne between 2019 and 2023 before making the switch to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Cologne reportedly paid $2.3 million to bring him back.

Skhiri said: “I am absolutely delighted to be back. I have met some familiar faces,” before adding: “I never lost contact with Cologne, and with some of the people here.”

Saudi Arabia also involved

Lens have activated their option to buy Saudi right-back Saud Abdulhamid from Roma, securing the defender on a contract that runs until 2029.

Abdulhamid made a strong impact during his loan spell. He helped Lens win the Coupe de France and qualify for this season’s Champions League.

After signing in July 2025, the full-back needed time to settle before establishing himself in the starting line-up. He played in 14 of 17 matches in the second half of last season, becoming the first Saudi player to feature in the French league.