Bayern Munich sign Morocco's World Cup star Ismael Saibari from PSV for up to €55 million

The German champions announced the deal on Wednesday, confirming Saibari will join after Morocco's World Cup campaign in North America concludes. The 25-year-old forward, who can play across the attack, has been one of the breakout performers of the tournament.

World Cup breakout

Saibari scored in all three of Morocco's group stage matches, against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, to help the Atlas Lions reach the round of 32. There he converted the winning penalty in a dramatic shootout victory over the Netherlands. His performances have drawn international attention, and the move to Munich was reportedly agreed in principle weeks earlier.

Transfer details

The contract runs until 30 June 2031, and Saibari will wear the number 34 shirt. Neither club disclosed financial terms, but German media reports place the fee at around 50 million euros, with some outlets suggesting a package of up to 55 million euros including add-ons. The sum makes Saibari the most expensive sale in PSV's history.

“As a child, you dream of signing a contract with a club like FC Bayern. Everybody knows it's one of the world's biggest clubs. FC Bayern compete for the biggest titles like the Champions League every year, and I want to win as many trophies as possible here.”

Saibari credited head coach Vincent Kompany as a decisive factor in his choice. Sporting director Max Eberl described the signing as the result of early, forward-looking scouting that gave Bayern a concrete edge in the race for the Moroccan.

“We are delighted to have won one of the most exciting offensive players of this World Cup for FC Bayern. Such transfers don't happen overnight, but from foresighted work: it was crucial that we positioned ourselves early because we knew Ismael's abilities and were able to show him a concrete perspective from the start.”

Club career path

Saibari was born in Terrassa, Spain, and came through the Belgian youth systems of Anderlecht, Mechelen and Genk before joining PSV in the summer of 2020. He initially featured for the reserve side and broke into the senior squad in 2022, going on to make 142 appearances, score 42 goals and register 29 assists for the Eindhoven club. He won three consecutive Eredivisie titles, three Super Cups and two Dutch Cups.

Last season was his most productive yet: 15 league goals in 27 matches, or 19 goals and nine assists across all competitions, and he was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year. His goal against Bayern in the final league-phase match of the Champions League had already put him on the radar of the Munich scouting department.

Summer rebuild

Saibari is Bayern's second summer arrival after Noel Aseko returned from a loan at Hannover. The club has also seen the departures of Leon Goretzka and Raphaël Guerreiro at the end of their contracts and is reportedly close to signing defender Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt. Kompany's squad is being reshaped with an eye on reclaiming the Bundesliga title and mounting a deeper Champions League run.