Despite the tempting offers: Anderlecht snap up a Moroccan talent in a record deal

France's top scorer to Belgium

Anderlecht have pulled off one of the summer window's standout deals. The Belgian side confirmed today, Friday, the signing of outstanding Moroccan striker Toufik Bentayeb from Union Touarga on a long-term contract until 2030.

Announcing the deal via their official account on the platform "X", the illustrious club will hand Bentayeb (22 years old) a third European stint after two successful spells in the French second division.

Born in Casablanca in January 2004, the striker put pen to paper on a four-year contract worth 4.5 million euros including bonuses, according to French website "Maxifoot".

He picked Anderlecht despite receiving larger financial offers, French reports claim, favouring the Belgian club's sporting project over the money on the table.

Bentayeb kicked off his professional career with Union Touarga in 2022 before moving to France, where he played on loan for Rodez and then Troyes. His form then exploded last season, 2025-2026.

Leading Troyes to promotion to the French first division, the Moroccan star was crowned top scorer in the second division. He scored 20 goals and provided 3 further assists in 31 matches across various competitions, including 18 goals in the league.

That fine form still wasn't enough to earn Bentayeb a place at the 2026 World Cup with the Atlas Lions. Limited to the extended squad, he played just one international match, a friendly against Burundi that ended in a 5-0 win for Morocco.