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Premier League clubs pursue Abde Ezzalzouli as Barcelona eyes financial gain
via Le Matin2 min read
Abde Ezzalzouli, a key player for Real Betis and the Moroccan national team, is attracting significant interest from Premier League clubs despite a recent injury that sidelined him from the 2026 World Cup. The Moroccan winger, a product of La Masia, had shown remarkable performance before his injury, demonstrating strong dribbling skills and effectiveness in one-on-one situations. His recovery has been exemplary, with Ezzalzouli quickly regaining his explosiveness and scoring ability, confirming his continued high level of play. FC Barcelona is closely monitoring Ezzalzouli's situation, primarily due to financial motivations rather than sporting ones. The Catalan club, facing economic constraints and Liga salary requirements, sees a potential sale of Ezzalzouli as an opportunity to boost its finances. Barcelona secured a percentage of up to 50% on any future capital gain when Ezzalzouli transferred to Real Betis. This scenario is becoming more likely with strong interest from English clubs. Newcastle United is reportedly a leading contender, prepared to invest between 50 and 60 million euros for the player. Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, is also keenly interested, leveraging its European project and Champions League participation to attract Ezzalzouli. Whether Real Betis accepts an offer from England or Barcelona considers a strategic reacquisition before a resale, the Catalan club stands to receive a substantial sum. This financial windfall would provide Barcelona with cruc
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Morocco is actively promoting its aerospace industry, aiming to attract high-value-added investments and solidify its position as a leading aeronautical platform. This initiative aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development AMDIE showcased the country's mature ecosystem at a British exhibition, highlighting its integrated industry, skilled workforce, and competitive offerings for international clients. Ali Seddiki, AMDIE's Director General, stated that Morocco's participation marks a new phase in its industrial development, driven by the King's impetus, which has transformed the aerospace ecosystem. The country seeks to present new investment opportunities, particularly in aircraft engines and landing gear, to international manufacturers. Seddiki noted that Morocco has built a quality aerospace ecosystem over nearly two decades and is now entering a new era focusing on these high-value areas. He emphasized Morocco's role in the global aerospace sector, especially during challenging times for major manufacturers, by creating significant added value. The Moroccan aerospace sector is experiencing rapid growth, with annual revenue increases exceeding 20% and nearly 160 international companies established in the country. New industrial ecosystems, such as those around Safran's LEAP engine and landing gear, are fostering deeper industrial integration. Maria El Filali, Director General of the Moroccan Aerospace Ind
Bank Al-Maghrib's 2025 annual report emphasizes the need for more precise targeting of public aid in Morocco to balance social justice and public finance sustainability. The central bank notes significant disparities in living standards, with the wealthiest 20% of households spending over seven times more than the poorest 20%, and considerable gaps between urban and rural areas. The report highlights that universal subsidy mechanisms, such as the 18 billion dirhams spent on compensation in 2025, often benefit wealthier households due to their higher consumption levels. Similarly, the effectiveness of over 32 billion dirhams in tax expenditures, while sometimes having economic or social objectives, requires regular evaluation. Bank Al-Maghrib argues that improving aid targeting is not about reducing solidarity efforts but about optimizing public resources to primarily benefit those most in need. This approach is crucial as public spending is expected to rise due to expanded social protection, public service development, and upcoming reforms like pensions. The bank stresses the importance of preserving budgetary margins, as some exceptional revenues supporting public finances in recent years may not be sustainable. The report recommends general public expenditure reviews and systematic policy evaluations to optimize resource use, ensuring sustainable funding for social priorities without compromising budget stability. Ultimately, Bank Al-Maghrib supports Morocco's commitment to
Must ReadFIFA and its President Gianni Infantino are strongly considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams, a significant increase from the current 48-team format. This proposal, supported by CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dom铆nguez, aims to celebrate the centenary of the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. The expansion would allow Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to host full group stage matches rather than just symbolic games. Infantino's strategy of global expansion, bolstered by the economic and media success of the 48-team format, aligns with this ambition, especially as he approaches a new presidential campaign for 2027-2031. The Confederation of African Football CAF and the Asian Football Confederation AFC also support the move, anticipating increased representation for their national teams. The potential expansion to 64 teams would profoundly impact the joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Originally designed to host most of the competition after three inaugural matches in South America, the Moroccan-Iberian organization would need to revise its logistics. The addition of 16 more teams would bring the total to 128 matches, requiring more stadiums, increased hotel capacity, and significantly higher organizational costs for the three host countries. To honor commitments to CONMEBOL, FIFA is exploring the possibility of entrusting several full groups to Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, transforming Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Asunci贸n into major competition center