Krouani Nears Benfica Move as Al Qadsiah Opens Door for Departure

Moroccan international Sofiane Kharouani is close to leaving Al-Qadisiyah and returning to European football, as Benfica has entered official negotiations to sign the left-back in the final days of the transfer window.

According to "Al Riyadiyah" newspaper, Al Qadsiah's management is set to approve the player's transfer, as negotiations with Benfica have entered a formal stage, with expectations to finalize the deal in the coming days, especially since the Croatian has fallen out of the team's tactical plans this season.

Krowani joined Al-Qadisiya this summer from Dutch side Utrecht on a free transfer, signing a contract until the summer of 2029. However, he has not had the opportunity to participate in any official matches with the team since the start of the season, opening the door for a swift departure.

Benfica's interest in the player comes after a remarkable season with Utrecht, where he participated in 50 matches last season, scoring five goals and assisting 18, catching the attention of the Portuguese club that is looking to strengthen the left-back position.

If the deal goes through, the Croatian will return to Europe just weeks after his move to the Saudi league, embarking on a new adventure with one of Portugal's biggest clubs, in a move that could quickly revive his career on the European stage.