Venezia is close to signing defender Halhal.

The Italian club Venezia is close to finalizing the deal to sign Moroccan defender Ridouane Halhal, a player from Belgian club Mechelen, during the current summer transfer window.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio revealed that Venezia has made significant progress in its negotiations with Mechelen, indicating that the deal is nearing completion for around 5 million euros, plus performance-related bonuses.

The same source added that the Moroccan international, who participated with the national team in the 2026 World Cup, was among the interests of Hellas Verona during the last winter transfer window, before Venezia became the closest to securing his services in the current summer market.

This anticipated deal comes at a time when Venezia is preparing to loan out its defender Ahmed Sidibe to Portuguese club Vitória Guimarães, with the contract including a purchase option, which explains the Italian team's need to sign a new center-back.

If the transfer is completed, Ridouane Halhal will experience his first stint in Serie A, marking a new chapter in his professional career, after establishing himself as one of the most prominent rising Moroccan defenders in European football.

Halhal, who is 23 years old, is a graduate of the Montpellier academy in France, before having stints with Atlético Madrid "B" and Dutch club Helmond Sport on loan, where he showcased good performances that caught the attention of several European clubs.

It is worth noting that Halhal participated with the Moroccan national team in the last World Cup, starting in the matches against Haiti and Canada as a substitute for defender Chadi Riyad.