January may not be upon us just yet, but the transfer rumour mill is still turning at a rapid rate at the minute. The Italian press claim Leeds United are pushing with 'vehemence' to sign Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi in the latest transfer window link to the Whites.
According to ASRomaLive, the Whites are looking to sign the Moroccan star who was one of the standout performers at the World Cup. The African nation defied the odds to finish fourth in the tournament, knocking out the likes of Spain and Portugal on their route to the semi-finals. They were beaten 2-0 by France but were unfortunate not to find the back of the net.
The report states: “We are referring to Azzedine Ounahi, born in 2000 from Angers on whom Leeds is allegedly moving with some vehemence.”
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However, Leeds are said to face competition from Jose Mourinho's AS Roma with the Portuguese head coach heaping praise on the midfielder's incredible tournament earlier this month.
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani sent sporting director Victor Orta a number of text messages highlighting how impressive the number eight was at the tournament.
"I’m going to be honest, I’ll mention a name - Ounahi, the Morocco number eight," Orta told Spanish news organisation Marca. "How many messages have I received about him? Even my President has messaged me! ‘Where was this guy? We haven’t seen him!’ Even the President!
“He’s probably been the breakout player, can we say that? I’ve known him for two seasons, this year he’s at Angers, and I’ve been surprised by his physical level. He’s not been like that, I’m not saying he’s been lazy but I’m saying maybe the emotion is different, maybe he feels different playing in the Morocco shirt to the Angers one, where there’s a whole country behind you, your family."
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