Mohamed Ihattaren Signals Feyenoord Interest, Reveals €3 Million Release Clause

For years, the trajectory of Mohamed Ihattaren felt like a cautionary tale of early hype and missed opportunities. Once heralded as one of the brightest prospects in European football, the attacking midfielder spent several seasons drifting through high-profile loans and struggling for consistency. However, a return to the Eredivisie has sparked a genuine resurgence, and Ihattaren is now making it clear exactly where he wants his career to head next.

In a candid appearance on ESPN’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Ihattaren dropped a bombshell regarding his financial availability, revealing that his release clause stands at €3 million. More importantly, the Fortuna Sittard playmaker suggested that the Limburg-based club might be open to offers below that figure, effectively putting himself on the market for any suitor willing to take a calculated gamble on his revitalized form.

The Price of Redemption

The revelation came during a conversation with reporter Hans Kraay Jr., who questioned Ihattaren on the cost of securing his services. Ihattaren confirmed the €3 million clause but noted that Fortuna Sittard is unlikely to “make a fuss” if a club offers a slightly lower amount.

“I joined on a free transfer, so they won’t make a fuss over a tiny difference,” Ihattaren admitted during the broadcast. The admission has already sent ripples through the Dutch football landscape, with presenters describing the price tag as a “bargain” given the player’s technical ceiling and current output.

For Fortuna Sittard, the situation is a pragmatic one. The club recently exercised a unilateral option to extend Ihattaren’s contract for another year, ensuring they maintain some level of control over his departure. However, with the player openly discussing his value on national television, the clock is ticking toward a summer move.

Dreaming of Feyenoord

While the financial details provide the “how,” Ihattaren has been highly specific about the “where.” When asked about his dream destination, he named Mohamed Ihattaren‘s ambitions are firmly set on Feyenoord.

The link to the Rotterdam giants isn’t just a fantasy. Kraay Jr. Revealed a conversation with Fortuna manager Danny Buijs, who believes Ihattaren could be a “real asset” to Feyenoord if the player can maintain his fitness and add a final “fifteen per cent” to his game over the summer. Ihattaren confirmed that he and Buijs have discussed this specific path.

Tactically, Ihattaren sees himself fitting into a specific role at the De Kuip side. When asked where he would best contribute, he identified himself as a “deep-lying right winger,” a position that would allow him to utilize his vision and creativity to drive attacks from a wider starting point.

A Journey from Peak to Purgatory and Back

To understand why a €3 million price tag is viewed as a bargain, one must look at the volatile arc of Ihattaren’s career. A product of the PSV youth academy, he was once viewed as a generational talent. His journey since then has been a whirlwind of elite clubs and disappointing stints:

• The Early Rise: A breakout at PSV led to a high-profile move to Juventus.
• The Loan Cycle: Attempts to uncover footing at Sampdoria and Ajax yielded little in terms of consistent playing time.
• The Struggle: A move to Slavia Prague in 2024 failed to materialize into meaningful minutes.
• The Reset: A stint with RKC Waalwijk in the 2024-2025 season (24 appearances, 4 goals) provided the foundation for his current form.

At Fortuna Sittard, the narrative has finally shifted. Ihattaren has found the stability necessary to produce numbers that demand attention. This season in the Eredivisie, he has recorded six goals and ten assists, proving that his ability to create and finish remains intact when he is physically and mentally aligned with his environment.

Note for readers: In football terms, a “unilateral option” means the club has the sole right to extend the contract without needing the player’s explicit consent at the time of the trigger, which is why Fortuna currently holds the leverage regarding his release clause.

International Shift and the ‘Team Raiola’ Plan

Ihattaren’s professional resurgence is mirrored by a shift in his international identity. After representing the Netherlands at various youth levels—including winning the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship—Ihattaren officially opted to represent the Morocco national team in 2025.

This decision aligns with his heritage, having been born in Utrecht to Moroccan parents. The move to the Moroccan squad provides him with a fresh platform to showcase his skills on the global stage, potentially increasing his market value further if he becomes a fixture in the Atlas Lions’ lineup.

Looking toward the summer, Ihattaren is not leaving his progress to chance. He has revealed that he will follow a strict training regimen designed by Team Raiola. Rather than taking a traditional off-season break, he plans to execute a personalized “holiday schedule” to ensure he arrives at his next destination in peak physical condition.

Key Takeaways: The Ihattaren Situation

As the summer transfer window approaches, Ihattaren has effectively bypassed the usual intermediaries by announcing his price and his preference on live television. For Feyenoord, the proposition is simple: a proven Eredivisie creator with a massive ceiling, available for a fraction of the cost of a typical international signing.

The next confirmed checkpoint for Ihattaren will be his summer training phase under the Raiola program, which will determine if he possesses the “final fifteen per cent” Danny Buijs believes is necessary for a move to Rotterdam.

Do you think Feyenoord should take the gamble on Ihattaren for €3 million? Let us realize in the comments.