Ian Wright praised Newcastle United and West Ham United transfer target Azzedine Ounahi for his performances at the Qatar World Cup after Morocco were knocked out of the semi-final stages to France on Wednesday night.
Despite that defeat to the world champions, Wright thinks their now sought-after number eight was ‘running that midfield’, as he told ITV Sport.
There were a number of stars that have emerged from this historic Morocco side that became the first African nation to reach the last-four of the World Cup.
One of them is their technical star, Ounahi, but it might not be for long given the Premier League interest from Newcastle and West Ham in the 22-year-old. – Who is Azzedine Ounahi and who does he play for? Read his profile here.
The World Cup always throws up star names and produces those magical moments, well, it’s done just that with this Moroccan side and Wright was full of praise.
“When you look at Azzedine Ounahi from Angers, he was in the third division of French football last season,” said Wright. “He was running that midfield against France.
“They (Morocco) aren’t far away. They just need to find that player (finisher) and they just need to get ruthless because they have got everything in respect of what they have got. Defence and Midfield. They just need that frontman.”
NEWCASTLE AND WEST HAM IN THE JANUARY WINDOW
It’s going to be interesting to see how Newcastle and West Ham attack the winter transfer window, especially given that they might swap places at the end of the season.
David Moyes’ side, after spending big during the summer, are at risk of losing their European place, with the Magpies currently occupying a Champions League spot and looking likely that they should play in Europe next term.
A lot will depend on what the duo do next month. It’s easier for Eddie Howe because his team are flying and the ridiculous money he has behind him.
But those in East London, after spending big, have gone backwards, so it will be interesting to see just how far will those West Ham owners be willing to push the boat out.
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