Bayern Munich signs Moroccan World Cup professional Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven

At the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, the 31-time Moroccan international plays a key role for his country. Saibari scored the opening goal for Morocco in the 1:1 group stage draw against Brazil and also netted in the 4:2 victory against Haiti. In the penalty shootout against the Netherlands, he converted the decisive spot kick, securing Morocco's place in the round of 16.

Saibari's Role at the World Cup

With the move, Saibari ranks in the top 5 most expensive purchases in the club's history based on the rumored transfer figures – ahead of Michael Olise, João Palhinha, Min-jae Kim, and Leroy Sané. At PSV, the most expensive departure to date was Hirving Lozano, who moved to SSC Napoli for €50 million in 2019. They are followed by Cody Gakpo with his transfer to FC Liverpool for €42 million, as well as Ibrahim Sangaré, Malik Tillman, and Noni Madueke at €35 million each.

Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl expressed his delight over the transfer: „Wir freuen uns sehr, mit Ismael Saibari einen der spannendsten Offensivspieler dieser WM für den FC Bayern gewonnen zu haben. Solche Transfers entstehen nicht aus dem Moment heraus, sondern aus vorausschauender Arbeit: Entscheidend war, dass wir uns früh bei ihm positioniert haben, weil wir von Ismaels Fähigkeiten wussten und ihm von Beginn an eine konkrete Perspektive bei uns aufzeigen konnten." Eberl added: „Ismael Saibari wird unserem Offensivspiel zusätzliche Qualität und Unberechenbarkeit geben."

Sporting director Christoph Freund also praised the newcomer's versatility: „Er ist vielseitig, intensiv, mutig in seinem Spiel, besitzt genau den Hunger, den wir beim FC Bayern sehen wollen und wird mit seiner Torgefahr und Mentalität der Mannschaft guttun." Saibari himself stated: „Bereits als Kind träumt man, bei einem Verein wie dem FC Bayern einen Vertrag zu unterschreiben - jeder weiß, dass das einer der größten Clubs der Welt ist." The player also highlighted the role of coach Vincent Kompany: „Der Trainer Vincent Kompany hat eine große Rolle bei meiner Entscheidung gespielt."

Voices on the Transfer

Saibari will be deployed primarily in the attacking midfield at the German record champions, but can also play as a center forward and on the right side. He was born in Spain. According to figures from the past twelve months, his market value has risen from €32 million to €40 million – a 25 percent increase.

Saibari himself clearly articulated his goals: „Der FC Bayern spielt jedes Jahr um die wichtigsten Titel wie die Champions League, und ich möchte hier so viele Titel wie möglich gewinnen." Speaking about the style of play of his new club, he said: „Der Stil des FC Bayern passt zu mir, ich kann hier mein Spiel spielen und werde jeden Tag hart arbeiten, um der Mannschaft zu helfen."

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement between both clubs. PSV coach Peter Bosz thus loses a key performer, whose spot in Eindhoven will need to be filled. The club is already referring to a record in its official announcement. This could hint at easily achievable bonuses.

Financial Dimension

The 25-year-old arrives in Munich with the title of best player of the past Eredivisie season. Date of birth/Age: 01/28/2001 (25). With the Moroccan national team, he was retroactively crowned African champion in 2025.

The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is the first tournament with 48 teams and 72 group stage matches – a new record. Morocco has qualified for the round of 16 with Saibari.

The total attendance for the World Cup group stage amounted to 4,644,549 spectators. At the round of 16 match between France and Sweden (3:0), the tournament's total attendance figure exceeded five million for the first time.

Off the pitch, the tournament is also occupying those responsible: FIFA announced that 1,000 accounts have been reported to law enforcement authorities. Eleven percent of all comments classified as abusive at the 2026 World Cup on social media were of a racist nature – an increase of three percentage points compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the same point in time.

2026 World Cup Overview

FIFA employs a Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) to scan accounts of teams, players, coaches, and referees and to hide abusive comments. From the World Cup's opening phase, the association also received sporting side notes: Marcelo Bielsa, 70, held a 100-minute press conference after Uruguay's group-stage exit; Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece, 45, resigned after the 0:2 round of 16 loss to Mexico.

Egypt is anxiously monitoring an injury concern over Mohamed Salah, 34, who was substituted in the 57th minute of the Iran match (1:1) due to a thigh injury and was initially only able to train individually. His participation in the round of 16 match against Australia on Friday at 20:00 CEST is considered likely but not confirmed. Egyptian left-back Ahmed Fatouh's participation is also in doubt.

The signing of Saibari comes at a time when Bayern Munich is specifically strengthening its squad. Coach Vincent Kompany had already publicly named the player as a desired signing and was instrumental in promoting his move to Säbener Straße.

With the transfer, FC Bayern underlines its strategy of targeting players early who make a name for themselves at major tournaments. Eberl emphasized that the success of such signings lies in forward-looking work, not in spontaneous decisions.