Zakaria Aboukhlal Close to Joining FC Nantes on Loan

Moroccan international Zakaria Aboukhlal is on the verge of signing with FC Nantes. According to several French media outlets, the Torino FC striker is expected to join the Ligue 1 club on loan with an option to buy as the winter transfer window opens on January 1. The daily newspaper L’Équipe reports that the 25-year-old, who previously played for Toulouse FC, has already participated in his first training session at the Jonelière training center on Monday morning as the Canaries prepare for their trip to Marseille for the 17th matchday of the league. Aboukhlal, who joined the Italian side last summer on a four-year contract, has struggled to establish himself in Serie A. His playing time at Torino has been limited, with only nine appearances this season and no goals scored. Facing difficulties in Ligue 1, where they currently sit in 17th place, FC Nantes is looking to bolster its attacking options to distance itself from the relegation zone and regain momentum in the second half of the season. The club is counting on the versatility of the Moroccan international, who can play both on the wings and at the forefront of the attack. Trained in the Netherlands, Zakaria Aboukhlal previously played for PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar before making a name for himself in France with Toulouse, where he made 76 Ligue 1 appearances, scored 20 goals, and provided 7 assists from 2022 to 2025. With the Moroccan national team, the Atlas Lion participated in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.