Premier League trio Wolves, West Ham United and Newcastle have been handed an Azzedine Ounahi boost with FCInterNews reporting that Serie A giants Inter Milan cannot afford the World Cup star’s £40 million price-tag.
Even before the Qatar World Cup kicked off, Morocco had the makings of potential dark horses. This was, after all, a team containing such talents as Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou. Not to mention Nayed Aguerd and Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui.
There was comparatively little pre-tournament attention paid to Walid Regragui’s midfielders, however. Sofyan Amrabat was in-and-out of the Fiorentina team, after all. And most football fans could have sat next to Azzedine Ounahi at the bus stop without recognising a 22-year-old plying his trade in France’s Ligue 1 for Angers.
Following Morocco’s stirring run to the semi-finals, however, both Amrabat and Ounahi could be in line for big-money moves.
Morocco’s World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi could get a Premier League move
Amrabat’s representatives are already in talks with Liverpool (Sky Sports).
According to 90Min, the stylish, skilful Ounahi has also swaggered his way onto the radars of Newcastle, Southampton, West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leicester City, L’Equipe add, are ready to make an offer in the region of £40 million. Ounahi may be a potential long-term Youri Tielemans replacement.
One club who already appear to be bowing out of the race, however, are Inter Milan. The Nerazzuri are still coping with those well-publicised financial problems. And, despite sporting director Piero Ausilio’s admiration for the prancing playmaker – legendary Inter boss Jose Mourinho labels Ounahi an ‘absolutely incredible’ talent – Angers’ £40 million asking price is simply too rich for Inter’s blood.
“(Ounahi is) so confident. Great feet,” former England international Danny Murphy told the BBC; the former Strasbourg youngster skipping and slaloming his way through France in midweek.
“Ounahi’s performance again; sensational player. 22 years of age. I’m sure there’s a lot of admirers watching his performances in the last two or three games.”
“I can see why (so many teams want him). Confident, skilful, great energy, a desire to get on the ball…”
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