FC Twente is monitoring SC Cambuur center back Ismaël Baouf, following the Dutch side’s promotion to the Eredivisie. Cambuur secured their spot in the top flight with a 2-4 victory over FC Emmen on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, and Baouf is now attracting attention from multiple clubs as a highly-rated prospect. Scouts from FC Twente were reportedly in attendance at a recent Cambuur match, and discussions with Baouf’s representatives have already taken place.
Hans Kraay Jr., who frequently speaks with Erik ten Hag, provided an update on the situation ahead of Cambuur’s promotion-clinching match. “Ismaël Baouf is interesting to a lot of clubs,” Kraay told ESPN. “But I don’t believe he’ll be available for less than five million [euros].” Baouf is currently under contract with Cambuur until the summer of 2028, with an option for an additional year, and is estimated to have a market value of €2.5 million. He recently received a call-up to the Moroccan national team.
Kraay Jr. Also revealed details of a conversation with Ten Hag regarding Baouf. “I told him to maintain an eye on him, and he did,” Kraay said. “I spoke with Ten Hag just the other day (Sunday, March 22, 2026). He said, ‘We’ve been following him, and he’s very good. But right now, we have Nijstad, Lemkin, and Pröpper.’”
A potential move could materialize this summer, particularly if Ruud Nijstad departs FC Twente. With Max Bruns also unlikely to extend his contract, the club may seek a novel central defender should both players abandon.
