Porto ‘tried to sign’ Souffian El Karouani before Benfica move as Villas Boas contacted agent | OneFootball

Porto targeted Souffian El Karouani before his switch to Benfica, despite securing João Souza on loan from Tottenham in the final days of the window.

Record reports that Porto wanted the Morocco international, with Francesco Farioli, who faced him in the Eredivisie, and André Villas Boas sending messages to his agent to persuade him.

El Karouani kept his word to Rui Costa and Marco Silva despite the approach. Farioli viewed him as an important addition, but Porto turned to another target and chose Souza, who had also been linked to Benfica.

This summer the defender joined Al Qadisiyah, but did not settle in the Middle East, returning to Europe and signing for Benfica before making an official debut for the Saudi club.

Last season for Utrecht, El Karouani, valued at 15 million euros, played 50 matches, 34 in the Eredivisie, 14 in the Europa League and two in the Dutch Cup. Across 4,203 minutes he scored four goals and supplied 18 assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904

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