Former Netherlands international Khalid Boulahrouz has publicly recommended that PSV Eindhoven star Ismael Saibari should make the move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, arguing that the 25-year-old Moroccan has done everything he can in the Eredivisie and needs a bigger stage.
Speaking on Rondo, Boulahrouz made his case clearly, pointing to Saibari’s numbers, his profile as a Moroccan international and his upcoming World Cup appearance as reasons why the timing for a move could not be better.
“He has definitely played out the Eredivisie. If you look at his statistics and his style of play: that is good enough to make a transfer. He is a Moroccan international, has an Africa Cup behind him, and is going to play in a World Cup. Assuming he is a starter and plays two matches well, you are simply gone. Then you have to push through.”
On the specific destination, Boulahrouz did not shy away from naming Tottenham despite their turbulent season.
“I am just curious what kind of club will come along. He needs to go to an attacking team, where he can come into his own. A nice club: they are not in a good position at all, but he can add something extra to Tottenham Hotspur. I would go to a club where he can be important.”
What Ismael Saibari has achieved at PSV
The numbers behind Boulahrouz’s recommendation are not difficult to find. Since breaking into PSV’s first team in 2022, Saibari has scored 41 goals and registered 29 assists in 140 appearances, playing a central role in two consecutive Eredivisie title wins.
This season alone he has contributed 18 goals and nine assists in 34 matches, giving him 27 goal contributions in a single campaign.
Aston Villa have previously been recommended as a destination for him too, underlining that Saibari’s profile is attracting serious external attention from multiple directions.
Does the Ismael Saibari to Tottenham idea actually make sense?
The fit under Roberto De Zerbi is easy to see on paper.
Saibari is an attacking, dynamic forward who thrives in high-press, possession-oriented systems, and De Zerbi’s style is built precisely around players of that profile. The problem is one of squad depth rather than quality.
Xavi Simons arrived last summer at considerable expense, James Maddison remains at the club, Dejan Kulusevski will return from injury and Mathys Tel is already occupying a similar profile in the squad. Saibari would need clear departures ahead of him to justify the reported €32m price tag.
Tottenham’s primary concern this summer is also survival in the Premier League rather than building for next season, so any transfer planning remains conditional on what division they find themselves in come May.
Boulahrouz has made his view clear regardless, and Saibari’s profile is real enough that if Spurs do stay up and begin a genuine rebuild under De Zerbi, this is exactly the type of productive, attacking midfield talent they should be targeting.
