Yassir Zabiri's loan to Racing Santander puts him level with Yamal

As part of Stade Rennais' transfer window, the young Moroccan striker Yassir Zabiri, 21, was loaned to Racing Santander this summer; he already has seven goals in eight matchdays of the Liga, a total that puts him on the same level as Yamal.

Reasons for the loan and lack of playing time

Unable to make a name for himself at Stade Rennais last season, the player featured in only six matches, all as a substitute, for a total of 42 minutes. The club therefore chose to loan him out so that he can regain regular playing time in Spain.

Since his arrival, Zabiri has delivered decisive performances: a hat‑trick against Elche, a brace against Alavés, then his seventh goal against Valencia, a match that ended in a 2‑2 draw. These feats confirm that his gamble on the Liga is paying off.

This seventh goal places him among the offensive benchmarks of the Liga, alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, in the race for the top scorer chart. He continues to impress in Spain, recalling the exploits of these two young prodigies.

Impact of the loan and prospects for Rennes and Marseille

The loan includes no purchase option; the player must return to Brittany at the end of the season, with Stade Rennais retaining control of his future. This situation could allow Franck Haise to regain in 2027 a much more seasoned striker.

The Breton club had invested around ten million euros to sign him from Famalicão last February. His breakthrough in the Liga could therefore give a new dimension to that investment.

OM had already shown interest as early as January 2025, with the idea of bringing him to the Canebière, but the deal ultimately did not materialise. Today, Zabiri's progress revives the regrets of the Marseille club.

Before joining Stade Rennais, the Moroccan had stood out by finishing top scorer of the U20 World Cup won by Morocco. His goal now is to continue this momentum and confirm his potential over the long term.