Olympique de Marseille have reached an agreement in principle with Real Sociedad over the departure of Nayef Aguerd (30), according to Foot Mercato.

Aguerd is set to return to the Basque club on an initial loan deal which will include an option to buy. Negotiations accelerated rapidly on Friday evening after Real Sociedad moved to bring back the Morocco international, who previously spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan in San Sebastián.

The 30-year-old is understood to have quickly given his approval to the move, attracted by the prospect of returning to familiar surroundings and playing Europa League football under Pellegrino Matarazzo.

Aguerd only joined Marseille permanently last summer in a deal worth around €23m but has become one of the players OM are prepared to sacrifice as they look to reduce their wage bill and raise funds during the transfer window.

The former Stade Rennais defender had also attracted concrete interest from Al-Sadd, while Rennes explored the possibility of bringing him back before the expiry of a €15m release clause at the end of July.

However, it is Real Sociedad who have now moved into pole position. Foot Mercato report that an agreement in principle has been reached for a paid loan with an option to purchase.