Morocco star Azzedine Ounahi has explained why he choose Marseille over Leeds United or Aston Villa while admitting that he turned down Premier League offers after the Qatar World Cup, in quotes reported by Calciomercato.
There are certainly worse ways to introduce yourself to your new supporters.
Ounahi, off the bench to make his L’OM debut during Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Nantes, plucked a high ball out the air, turned a nearby defender into a human pretzel with his swivelling snake hips before slotting home stylishly. It was a goal straight out of the Dennis Bergkamp playbook, Ounahi’s £7 million price-tag looking even more like a bargain now than it did when his arrival from bottom-placed Angers was confirmed.
Leeds, Leicester and Aston Villa miss out on Marseille star Azzedine Ounahi
“We all know that many clubs were interested in me. In Italy and in England,” explains the swaggering 22-year-old, one of the breakout stars of the Qatar World Cup.
“But, in the end, I chose Marseille. I made this decision because the city it reminds me of my home. I find a bit of Morocco here. The club trusted me, now I’ll have to repay them and show my qualities to the team and the fans.”
He’s certainly doing that; Ounahi threatening to loosen Dimitri Payet’s vice-like grip on Marseille’s Goal of the Season award.
Marseille faced serious competition luring Ounahi to the Stade Velodrome too; Napoli director Cristiano Guintoli confirming that both the runaway Serie A leaders and Leeds United had expressed an interest (TMW).
According to Sport Italia and TuttoNapoli, there was also interest from Leicester City and an ambitious, deep-pocketed Aston Villa outfit.
But Ounahi, labelled an ‘incredible’ talent by one Jose Mourinho during Morocco’s stirring run to the World Cup semi-finals, remains convinced that the decision he made when finally leaving relegation-certainties Angers was the right one. From both a sporting and a personal perspective.
“So confident, great feet. Ounahi; sensational player,” former England international Danny Murphy told the BBC during Morocco’s last-four clash with France in Qatar.
“I can see why (so many teams want him)! Confident, skilful, great energy, a desire to get on the ball…”
Now, you can add a penchant for sublime solo goals to Ounahi’s ever-lengthening list of attributes.
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