Interest in Othmane Maamma continues to grow. According to Foot Mercato, both FC Porto and Bologna are keeping tabs on the 20-year-old Moroccan winger, who remains under contract with Watford until 2029.
Othmane Maamma is attracting firm interest from several European clubs. As the transfer window enters its final days, Foot Mercato reports that Porto and Bologna have also added the Moroccan forward to their radar.
No official bid has been made as of yet. Watford therefore retains full control over the player's future, though mounting interest could trigger movement in the coming days.
Bologna Eyes Maamma as Potential Replacement
Interest is particularly concrete from Italy. Bologna is anticipating a potential departure of Jonathan Rowe to Atalanta and views Maamma as one of the prime candidates to fill the resulting vacancy in attack.
According to reports, the Italian club has placed the Moroccan on their shortlist, but they must first gain clarity on Rowe's future before any potential transfer can take shape.
With the transfer deadline looming on September 1, time is running short to reach an agreement.
Porto Also Monitoring the Situation
Bologna faces competition from Portugal, as Porto is also tracking Maamma and considers the winger an exciting option to reinforce their attacking line.
For now, the Portuguese giants have not submitted an official proposal to Watford either, allowing the English club to calmly wait and see if any interested party takes concrete action.
Watford Holds a Strong Negotiating Position
Meanwhile, Watford is under no pressure to rush. Maamma is tied down until 2029 and is regarded within the club as a highly valuable asset.
The Moroccan made the switch from Montpellier to Watford last season, making 25 league appearances in his debut campaign, scoring four goals and providing one assist.
His current estimated market value on Transfermarkt sits at around 8 million euros.
Golden Ball Boosted His Status
Interest in Maamma does not come out of nowhere. His international breakthrough came during the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
During the tournament, the winger established himself as one of the standout players for the Moroccan national team. Maamma was subsequently awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
Morocco ultimately triumphed in the competition, defeating Argentina in the final to crown themselves U20 world champions.
His stellar performances earned Maamma a call-up to the senior Moroccan national team training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, followed shortly by his senior debut.
Interest from Multiple Top European Leagues
Porto and Bologna are not the first clubs to express interest.
Benfica, Everton, and Crystal Palace previously inquired about Maamma's situation, while Chelsea and Bournemouth were also linked to the Moroccan forward in reports by L'Équipe.
His ongoing development at Watford has not gone unnoticed, and the English club's coaching staff has also praised his performances during pre-season preparations.
Transfer Window Nears Its Climax
For the time being, Maamma remains a Watford player. No official bid is on the table, and the club has not been forced to make a decision regarding a potential exit.
However, the coming days could change that. With Porto and Bologna now in the mix, the Moroccan winger has two more major European clubs closely monitoring his situation.
The Golden Ball in Chile firmly placed Othmane Maamma on Europe's radar. As the transfer deadline approaches, the next step in his career could arrive sooner than expected.