La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly interested in 22-year-old Angers SCO midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, who has been on a roll at the World Cup.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Azzedine Ounahi has emerged on the radar of Barcelona. The 22-year-old has made his mark at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Morocco. And Angers SCO president Said Chabane has already admitted that it would be difficult to keep hold of the player.
Azzedine Ounahi has gone under the radar for most of his professional career thus far. The Moroccan international spent most of his formative years in his homeland before moving to France in 2018. And after short stints with RC Strasbourg and US Avranches, he joined Angers SCO last year.
The 22-year-old has been a regular for the French club, making 47 appearances thus far for them. But his stock has suddenly skyrocketed on the back of a stunning World Cup campaign for him and Morocco. The Atlas Lions have taken the game by storm in Qatar, with Ounahi being one of their pivotal figures. And the player’s exploits have captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona will likely enter the market for a midfielder next year. While replacing Sergio Busquets might be on their agenda, they may need a box-to-box midfielder, too. That is because Franck Kessie faces an uncertain future at Spotify Camp Nou despite joining Barcelona this past summer.
While Barcelona will not sell Kessie in the January transfer window, things might change in the summer. So the Blaugrana will need to be prepared for any eventuality. And while Bernardo Silva is Barcelona’s priority target for next year, Manchester City will look to tie the Portuguese playmaker to a new contract.
Ounahi has thus emerged as a viable alternative for Silva. While the 22-year-old may not be a glamourous option, he will be a handy backup for Pedri and Gavi. The World Cup semi-finalist might not have major issues with sharing game time. So a summer move may be on the cards.
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Meanwhile, Angers SCO president Said Chabane has already spoken on the growing interest in Ounahi. He has admitted that it will be difficult for the French club to keep hold of the player. And it will be interesting to see if the youngster moves to Barcelona next year.
