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Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is attracting growing interest from top clubs across Europe after a solid loan spell at Amiens.
According to Africa Foot, Premier League sides Newcastle United and Liverpool are both keen on the Rennes center-back. Newcastle are understood to have met with the player’s camp, while Liverpool have reportedly tabled a formal offer.
French clubs OGC Nice and Lille are also monitoring him closely, with two top-half La Liga teams joining the chase.
Aït Boudlal joined Rennes from Morocco’s Mohammed VI Academy in July 2024. He spent the first half of the 2024–25 season playing for Rennes II in Championnat National 3 before moving to Amiens on loan in February.
Despite joining mid-season, Aït Boudlal quickly became a regular starter for Amiens, making nine league appearances – eight as a starter – and registering one assist in a 3–2 win over Guingamp. His physical presence, composure, and sharp positioning have been widely praised.
Amiens finished the season mid-table, in 11th.
At 1.90m tall, Aït Boudlal is a commanding figure in defense. He captained Morocco at U17 level, leading them to runners-up finishes in the 2022 Arab Cup and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored in the U17 AFCON final and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament. He also represented Morocco at the 2023 U17 World Cup.
In October 2023, The Guardian named him among the 60 best young footballers in the world born in 2006.
Still under contract with Rennes until 2028, Aït Boudlal faces a crucial summer. His next move could be a defining step in his career.
