Italian reports claim Leeds United are leading the race to sign World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi. The Moroccan rose to prominence in Qatar as he helped his nation reach the semi-final for the first time.
A technically-gifted midfielder, Ounahi joined Ligue 1 outfit Angers in 2021. Several suitors are understood to be chasing the 22-year-old following his heroics in the Middle East.
Reports would suggest one of those to be Napoli, currently leading the pack in Serie A. Gli Azzurri have opened up a nine-point cushion at the top of the league and are chasing their first title since 1990.
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A dominant position boasting several top players would presumably place Napoli in pole position to sign Ounahi. However, Il Matino are suggesting that the Italian side's sporting director Cristiano Guintoli has no desire to enter a bidding war.
As well as Leeds, Leicester City are also understood to be monitoring the midfielder. First-team stalwarts Youri Tielemans and James Maddison have been linked with transfers away from the King Power Stadium.
The report also outlines growing concerns about Angers changing their valuation for Ounahi after a £25million offer was made. Most importantly, the Whites’ bid is stated as higher than the Serie A front runners’. Football analystical site transfermarkt.com values the player at £15million, with an impressive World Cup no doubt inflating the Ligue 1 club's demands.
Leeds have already spent around £50million this month, with Maximilian Wober and Georginio Rutter arriving to help drag Jesse Marsch’s side out of their slump.
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