Anderlecht is eyeing Mourad El Ghezouani (26), Elche’s top scorer. With an average conversion rate of 0.8 goals per 90 minutes in La Liga 2, he scores even more than Kasper Dolberg. Sporting offers El Ghezouani a three-year contract and negotiates the price, set at 2.5 million euros, according to AlicantePlaza. The Moroccan, known for his physical power and hard work, has impressed this season with 7 goals in 17 games. Could he offer Anderlecht the offensive weapon they are looking for?
During the FanCouncil, a meeting between fan representatives and management, Olivier Renard made it clear that he aimed to add a competitor to Kasper Dolberg. Luiz Vazquez, the current replacement for the Danish striker, does not convince and seems to have no future at Lotto Park. This is why Renard is turning to the Spanish market, in particular Mourad El Ghezouani, the 26-year-old striker from Elche CF.
It appears that the Moroccan is leaving his club this winter, and in addition to Anderlecht, South Korean club Ulsan are also showing interest in El Ghezouani. Sporting have the advantage of being willing to pay close to the asking 2.5 million euros, while Ulsan are only willing to fork out a maximum of 1.5 million. El Ghezouani has reportedly already received a three-year contract offer from Anderlecht, with better terms than his current deal at Elche.
7 goals and 17 appearances
Mourad El Ghezouani joined Elche CF in the 2019/20 season, initially to strengthen the reserve team, but due to his good performances he made his debut for the Franjiverdes first team. After loans to Alcoyano and Burgos, he extended his contract with Elche until June 2027. However, last summer, El Ghezouani was not in coach Eder Sarabia’s plans and was close to being loaned to Cordoba CF. But this season, El Ghezouani’s career took a 180-degree turn and he became a sensation in Elche. The Moroccan is not an undisputed starter in the Sarabia team, but he is the top scorer with 7 goals in 17 games.
With an average of 0.8 goals per 90 minutes, El Ghezouani is currently the third top scorer in La Liga 2. In comparison, Kasper Dolberg scores 0.71 goals per 90 minutes for Anderlecht this season. With the exception of this season, Mourad El Ghezouani has never been a real killer, but he is a striker who weighs down the defense. He is a fast and strong striker with a good header.
“I’m a player who doesn’t score a lot of goals, but I work a lot and I always bother the defenders,” he said in an interview with Marca. The Moroccan is tall and robust – 85 kilograms for 1.90 meters – and makes the players around him better.
Very different from last season
El Ghezouani always makes his contribution every time he comes into play and fights to earn his place in Eder Sarabia’s team. Of course, his goals play a big role in his impressive renaissance. Last year, he only opened his score in the league on the 25th day, and what’s more, it was a penalty. “Last year everything was different. I was playing all the time and the goals weren’t coming,” El Ghezouani said.
This season he has already scored three goals after five matches, transforming the whistles and boos into applause and chants from the fans.
