Aaron Malouda, the 20-year-old winger currently at Sabah FK, is the subject of interest from both Sampdoria of Italy’s Serie B and Celtic of the Scottish Premiership, according to L’Équipe. Malouda joined Sabah FK at the start of the season, initially on loan from Lille before the Azerbaijani club made the move permanent in January.
Malouda’s decision to move to Azerbaijan was initially seen as a gamble, but the report suggests it is paying off, with his performances attracting attention from clubs across Europe. He has featured in 27 matches for Sabah FK this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists. The winger’s contract with Sabah FK runs until December 2029, but the club are seemingly open to offers following his successful spell.
Both Sampdoria and Celtic have reportedly presented their proposals to Malouda and have begun contract negotiations, indicating a serious intent to secure his signature. Sampdoria, currently in Serie B, will be hoping to bolster their squad as they aim for promotion to the top flight. Celtic, meanwhile, are consistently competing at the top of the Scottish Premiership and in European competitions, offering Malouda a platform to further develop his career.
Malouda came through the youth ranks at Lille, but struggled to break into the first team consistently, leading to the loan move to Azerbaijan. His form for Sabah FK has demonstrated his potential and has now sparked interest from larger European clubs. A move to either Sampdoria or Celtic would represent a significant step up in his career, providing him with increased exposure and a higher level of competition. The outcome of the negotiations remains to be seen, but it appears Malouda’s impressive season could lead to a return to Western Europe this summer.
