El Karouani was set to join the Russian Premier League side for a reported fee of €6 million and €2 million in add-ons when the FC Utrecht board decided to block the move, according to De Telegraaf.
Jeroen Kapteijns reports that the transfer wasn't blocked due to sanctions imposed against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. The club refuse to do business with Russian clubs in these times, finding it "morally irresponsible," said Kapteijns.
Olympique Marseille was reportedly chasing the Moroccan defender before Spartak Moscow expressed their interest and submitted an official bid.
Business with Russia under pressure
Dutch clubs have shied away from doing business with Russian clubs in recent times. Ajax's board blocked a transfer for Krasnodar midfielder Eduard Spertsyan in 2024, while Spartak Moscow's interest in FC Twente midfielder Michel Vlap, and Feyenoord's potential move for Spartak striker Manfred Ugalde were widely criticised.
The 24-year-old El Karouani has impressed during the start of the new season and has already recorded seven assists in nine games across the Eredivisie and Europa League qualifiers. With FC Utrecht, El Karouani, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, qualified for the league phase of the UEFA Europa League.