Youssef En-Nesyri's potential move back to Maghreb de Fès has hit a financial impasse, with wages emerging as the decisive factor in negotiations. The Al-Ittihad striker, who began his professional journey at the Moroccan club, remains in talks over a summer exit from the Saudi Arabian side, but his substantial earnings in the Roshn League are proving prohibitive for the club's budget.
Abdelhak El Marrakchi, a council elder at Maghreb de Fès, publicly acknowledged the stumbling block during recent discussions with Saudi media outlet Arriyadiyah. "Negotiations have already taken place to sign Youssef En-Nesyri from Al-Ittihad, but up to this moment the salary the player receives stands as an obstacle to the deal, and we cannot pay his salary that he earns in the Roshn League," El Marrakchi stated. The admission suggests that while both parties possess the appetite to complete the transfer, the economic realities of European and North African football make the arrangement untenable at En-Nesyri's current compensation level.
Path Forward Depends on Wage Concession
The solution, according to the Moroccan official, lies in En-Nesyri accepting a reduced salary package. Should the striker agree to a significant cut from his Jeddah wages, Maghreb de Fès would become positioned to complete the homecoming. This scenario reflects a broader trend in transfers where elite earners must compromise financially to join clubs outside Europe's wealthiest leagues.
En-Nesyri arrived at Al-Ittihad in January 2026 from Fenerbahçe with considerable expectations of revitalizing their attack. However, his 18-match stint produced modest returns of 8 goals and 1 assist across multiple competitions, falling short of the impact management envisioned. Al-Ittihad's hierarchy now prioritize restructuring their forward line before next season, viewing En-Nesyri's departure as part of a broader offensive overhaul.
A wage reduction remains the critical variable determining whether En-Nesyri completes his return to Morocco this window. The ball now rests with the player to decide whether nostalgia for his former club outweighs his financial security in Saudi Arabia.
