Tottenham report: Spurs battle Barcelona and Napoli for Morocco’s World Cup star
Tottenham (opens in new tab) reportedly compete with Barcelona (opens in new tab) and Naples (opens in new tab) to sign Moroccan World Cup sensation Azzedine Ounahi.
The midfielder has spent the last 18 months with Ligue 1 team Angers, but his exploits in Qatar 2022 – where Morocco became the first-ever African semi-finalist – appear to have caught the attention of Europe’s big boys.
This is reported by the Italian newspaper La Republic (through football.london) (opens in new tab)Spurs are one of the clubs in the mix to secure Ounahi’s services.
Leicester are also linked with a transfer from Ounahi, which is estimated to be around £13 million Transfer market (opens in new tab).
The 22-year-old was an important cog in coach Walid Regragui’s midfield as Morocco led a group that included runners-up in 2018, Croatia (to whom they eventually lost in the play-offs for third place), and then Spain and knocked out Portugal, before losing to holders France in the last four.
Ounahi started every game except that play-off, having only made his international debut at the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
Far from a household name, his performance in the last 16 stunned Spanish boss Luis Enrique, who commented afterwards (opens in new tab): “My God, where did this guy come from? I was pleasantly surprised by their number eight. I can’t remember his name, I’m sorry…”
Ounahi came over from the French third division club Avranches in the summer of 2021 and played almost 50 times for the club.
With Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Spurs already have a host of midfield options at their disposal – and based on his World Cup performances, Ounahi wouldn’t be out of place in such a group.
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Spurs not only appear to be battling Barcelona for Ounahi, but would also be interested in Barça midfielder Franck Kessie who is out of favour. (opens in new tab) – who only moved to Camp Nou last summer.
Red hot Rennes striker Martin Terrier has also been linked with a move to North London (opens in new tab)although Spurs could face competition from Manchester United for the Frenchman.
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