Transfer Centre

Leicester City ready to spend big to sign Morocco star Azzedine Ounahi?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 December 2022

Leicester ready to spend big to sign Azzedine Ounahi?

Leicester City are reportedly prepared to launch a big-money bid to sign Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi during the January transfer window.

Leicester City have reportedly identified Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi as a priority transfer target ahead of the January window.

Ounahi went into the World Cup with Morocco as a relative unknown, featuring in an Angers side that are currently struggling for survival in Ligue 1.

Despite starting 13 fixtures, the 22-year-old has failed to contribute a goal or assist, his team collecting just eight points from 15 fixtures in France's top flight.

However, Ounahi has emerged as one of the stars of the tournament in Qatar, playing a key role in the Atlas Lions becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Although midfield partner Sofyan Amrabat has generally received the most plaudits, Ounahi was name-checked by Spain coach Luis Enrique after Ounahi helped Morocco eliminate his team in the last 16.

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring their first goal with Azzedine Ounahi on December 1, 2022 © Reuters

Ounahi still has over three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, leaving Angers in a strong position when it comes to negotiating the player's future.

Nevertheless, Angers are also aware that they have an opportunity to make an eye-watering profit on someone who was playing third-tier football as recently as 2020-21.

According to L'Equipe, Leicester are prepared to pay as much as £39m for Ounahi at the turn of the year.

Throughout the summer transfer window, the Foxes were unable to make any notable additions due to financial issues, but the sale of Wesley Fofana to Chelsea for £70m has changed the situation for the better.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers during the win over Nottingham Forest on October 3, 2022. © Reuters

Leicester have a history of signing players from French football for minimal money and transforming them into stars, the most obvious examples being N'Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez.

While Brendan Rodgers is well stocked for options in the centre of the pitch, a replacement will eventually be required for Youri Tielemans, whether that be in January or next summer.

The Belgium international, one of Leicester's key men, is out of contract at the end of the season and has no plans to extend his stay in the East Midlands.

Barcelona have also been heavily linked with a move for Ounahi but the Catalan giants are unlikely to be prepared to spend the same amount of money as Leicester.