---
title: "Leeds: Whites suffer blow in race for Azzedine Ounahi"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-premier-league-azzedine-ounahi-transfers-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-01-10T07:41:05Z"
modified: "2023-01-10T07:41:05Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites suffer blow in race for Azzedine Ounahi

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) have suffered a blow in their quest to sign Morocco and Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, as the player prefers a move to Europe.**

### The Lowdown: Leeds make Ounahi bid

In the past few days, it has been [claimed](https://www.leedsunited.news/news/report-leeds-have-made-bid-for-angers-midfielder-azzedine-ounahi/) that Victor Orta and co have made an offer for the 22-year-old, in what could be an audacious swoop by the club.

Ounahi stood out as one of Morocco’s best players at the 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/), making [seven appearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/392361/Show/Azzedine-Ounahi) in total and helping them reach the semi-finals.

Unfortunately, it now looks as though Orta’s quest to bring him to Yorkshire could be difficult.

### The Latest: Whites dealt blow

According to [*L’Equipe*](https://www.lequipe.fr/) \[via [*Sport Witness*](https://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-united-moving-concretely-signing-offer-made-player-not-excited-transfer-whites/)\], the Whites aren’t Ounahi’s ‘preference’ and he is ‘not excited’ about the prospect of heading to Elland Road.

Instead, it looks as though the Angers midfielder is holding out for a move elsewhere, with respective bids from Napoli and Almeria both mentioned in the report.

[![Latest Leeds United updates](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-13/)

### The Verdict: Big blow for Leeds

This is a disappointing update, considering how impressive Ounahi was at the World Cup, being [hailed](https://twitter.com/FTalentScout/status/1604228424016531457?s=20&t=u4sqbrRuWISta4nRSryG0w) as a ‘revelation’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418869″\]

Unfortunately, the lure of current Serie A leaders and Champions League contenders Napoli is another level up from Leeds, in terms of what they can offer, arguably both football and money-wise.

Should Ounahi’s mindset change, Jesse Marsch should jump at the opportunity to sign him, with the Moroccan capable of providing legs and class in midfield, having excelled so much alongside Sofyan Amrabat in Qatar, enjoying an [83.3%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/392361/Show/Azzedine-Ounahi) pass completion rate.