Nayef Aguerd: Real Sociedad move collapses amid fitness doubts and differing accounts | OneFootball

Nayef Aguerd’s proposed return to Real Sociedad collapsed at the last moment, reviving questions over the Olympique de Marseille centre-back’s fitness.

L'Équipe reports that a paid loan worth €two million, with a non-mandatory €17 million option to buy, had been agreed on Thursday. He completed a medical on Wednesday and was set to travel to San Sebastian, where he spent 2024-2025 and left a positive impression.

The agreement subsequently fell through. The Moroccan underwent surgery in mid-March to address persistent pubalgia, and Real Sociedad were said to be unconvinced by elements of the medical assessment.

His camp maintain it was a misunderstanding with head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo over his return-to-play programme, with the coach keen on a rapid ramp-up and the defender preferring a steadier approach.

In spring, Aguerd had been unhappy with OM’s hierarchy over the handling of his recurring groin issues, and he missed the World Cup in early June. He rejoined group training with Morocco, but staff did not judge him robust enough for the tournament in the Americas.

In July he rebuilt fitness at La Commanderie, skipping friendlies, and Genesio considered him on the right path by late July. He trained during the Netherlands camp, and OM were stunned on Thursday evening, insisting his condition is excellent.

Source: L'Équipe

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