Barcelona reportedly contemplated a late move to sign 23-year-old Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from Ligue 1 club Marseille.
According to reputed French journalist Santi Aouna, Azzedine Ounahi was the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible late move in the recent summer transfer window. Clubs in England and Italy were also keen on signing the 23-year-old midfielder from Marseille. But a move did not materialise as the Ligue 1 outfit wanted to sell him permanently.
Azzedine Ounahi seems to have peaked at the end of 2022 when he rose to prominence during Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The player spent his formative years in his homeland before arriving in France as an 18-year-old in July 2018.
The 23-year-old was at Angers SCO when he had the spotlight on him after the World Cup. And the fame that it brought compelled him to agitate for a move away from the French minnows. That is when several English clubs showed interest in him. But the Moroccan international moved across Ligue 1 instead, joining Marseille in January 2023.
However, the move to Marseille has not been a resounding success, as he has been in and out of the starting lineup. And Ounahi has been on the bench in the last three games after starting the campaign with a goal in three outings. So, as Deadline Day approached this past summer, Ounahi’s future was uncertain.
Widespread reports linked the 23-year-old with several clubs in Europe. Saudi Pro League outfits also showed interest in Morocco’s World Cup hero. But Santi Aouna has claimed that Barcelona contemplated a late loan move to secure Ounahi’s services on Deadline Day.
The report adds that clubs in England, Italy, and Spain were keen on signing the Moroccan international, with Inter Milan, in particular, vying for his signature. But Marseille only wanted bids for a permanent deal. So the move to Barcelona did not materialise.
Barcelona could have used Ounahi and his versatility after parting ways with Franck Kessie. But Xavi Hernandez did not get a new midfielder and will have to suffice with the five options currently in his squad. As for the 23-year-old, it will be interesting to see if he can win over Marcelino in the coming months.
