Leeds United may miss out on Azzedine Ounahi, with presenter and YouTuber Conor McGilligan fearing he will join a Premier League rival instead.
The Lowdown: Ounahi interest
The Whites have been interested in the 22-year-old Moroccan World Cup revelation throughout the window, with Italian outlet Il Mattino even reporting just days ago that Jesse Marsch’s side had become the leaders in his pursuit.
The report claimed that a £22m bid was submitted by Leeds for the Angers star, who played all seven games as the Atlas Lions became the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The Latest: Villa interest
However, reports in Italy (via Sport Witness) have now suggested that Villa have now entered the race for Ounahi, with the Angers chief even making a trip to England to discuss the midfielder’s exit.
McGilligan reacted to the news on the One Leeds Fan Channel, with the apparent interest from Unai Emery’s side leaving him worried about the outcome of a deal.
He said: “Not what you want to hear, with Aston Villa. Obviously, they’re at a little bit better profile than us at the minute when it comes to league standings; they definitely have a lot more money than Leeds United, I think we’re all aware of that; and Angers are looking for a quick sale.
“It would be crippling if we lost this signing to Aston Villa, a Premier League rival.
“I think at the minute it’ll be a real coup for Leeds United to be able to get someone like Azzedine Ounahi.
“He’ll bring a little bit more structure to the midfield, we might have a little bit more balance in there, we might be able to fluctuate when it comes to formations as well.”
The Verdict: Up against it
Leeds May well feel pressured by the Villans' interest with the Whites currently eight points behind the Midlands outfit at present, already potentially putting them in the driving seat of the deal with Premier League safety a much more secure thing.
It’ll be bitterly gutting for Marsch not to add the Moroccan to his side considering Ounahi is in the top 1% amongst midfielders in top European competitions over the past year for dribbles completed , while he’s also in the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty box and top 4% for progressive passes received (via FBref).
This highlights the ability he’d look to add to Leeds’ midfield potentially alongside Tyler Adams or Marc Roca, with the 22-year-old evidently comfortable in attacking areas.
He’s also incredibly versatile, with him playing as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder for Angers this campaign - another positive to his game that Marsch could utilise, making it even more gutting if he were to head to Villa Park.