Moroccan Barrada nears Qatar switch

Moroccan midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada looks set to leave Spain's Getafe for a move to Qatari club al-Rayyan. The attacker arrived in Doha on Wednesday morning to conclude negotiations and sign a three-year contract with the Qatar Stars League team. Barrada, linked with a whole host of clubs in the last few months, had initially declared that he would extend his stay with Getafe. However, al-Rayyan's Director of Football Ali Salem Afifa told German news agency DBA that talks with the midfielder were at an advanced stage. He added that the Qatari club's Uruguayan coach Diego Aguirre has identified Barrada as a potential target. Afifa claimed that the signing of Barrada would be a coup for al-Rayyan, stating that the Moroccan star had been praised by Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho, and had consistently put in top performances in Spain. Spanish newspaper Marca said that Barrada's transfer fee would be in the region of €10 million.