Moroccan international Zakaria Aboukhlal, currently with Torino FC in Serie A, is close to joining French club FC Nantes on a loan deal with an option to buy, French media reported on Monday.
The transfer of the 25-year-old forward is expected to be completed during the winter transfer window, which opens on January 1, according to sports daily L’Équipe. The newspaper reports that the former Toulouse FC player took part in his first training session at La Jonelière on Monday morning, as Les Canaris prepare for their away trip to Marseille for Matchday 17.
Aboukhlal joined the Italian club last summer on a four-year contract, but has seen limited playing time in Serie A, making just nine appearances without scoring a goal for Torino this season.
Currently 17th in Ligue 1, FC Nantes are looking to strengthen their attacking line in a bid to climb out of the relegation zone at the halfway point of the season and restore their ambitions in the league. The Nantes club is banking on the attacking experience and versatility of the Moroccan international, who can operate on the wings as well as through the middle.
Trained in the Netherlands, Aboukhlal previously played for PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar before making his mark in France, notably at Toulouse FC, where he featured in 76 Ligue 1 matches, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists between 2022 and 2025.
The Atlas Lion has also represented Morocco at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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