---
title: "Leeds: Whites accept defeat in Azzedine Ounahi pursuit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-whites-accept-defeat-in-azzedine-ounahi-pursuit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-01-27T20:35:15Z"
modified: "2023-01-27T20:35:15Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites accept defeat in Azzedine Ounahi pursuit

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) have accepted defeat in their pursuit of Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, according to [90min’s Graeme Bailey](https://www.90min.com/posts/leeds-advanced-talks-weston-mckennie-world-cup-star).**

### The Lowdown: Ounahi rumours

The Whites have been linked with a move for Ounahi during large parts of the winter window and even [reportedly](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-premier-league-azzedine-ounahi-transfer-news-updates/) made a bid for the player, who Jose Mourinho [hailed](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/mourinho-impressed-morocco-coach-world-cup-fighting-spirit-singles-out-ounahi-for-praise/bltb5ae4b7813cc261d) as ‘absolutely incredible’ during the World Cup.

However, a transfer has failed to gather real pace, although Leeds were still [thought to be keen](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-whites-premier-league-azzedine-ounahi-transfer-news-updates/) despite links of a move for Juventus’ Weston McKennie.

### The Latest: Ounahi update

Bailey shared a story for [90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/leeds-advanced-talks-weston-mckennie-world-cup-star) on Friday morning, claiming that the club’s talks with Juventus for McKennie are at an advanced stage. He said that Leeds have ‘all but accepted defeat’ in their pursuit of Ounahi.

Later on Friday, [RMC Sport](https://twitter.com/RMCsport/status/1618999354496262146) revealed the midfielder is closing in on a switch to Marseille instead, surprisingly for a fee of just €10m (£8.8m).

[![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-14/)

### The Verdict: Fingers crossed for McKennie

It looks as if all of Leeds’ eggs are now in the McKennie basket when it comes to a late midfield addition. Bringing in a new midfielder could be crucial in terms of the club’s battle to avoid relegation, with [senior options](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399) fairly short in the middle of the park following Mateusz Klich’s exit.

Both McKennie and Ounahi featured at the World Cup for the USA and Morocco respectively, and McKennie actually has more [experience](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/weston-mckennie/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/332697) at the highest level than [Ounahi](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/azzedine-ounahi/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/593482) and comfortably [outperformed](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/338275/History/Weston-McKennie) the [Angers man](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/392361/History/Azzedine-Ounahi) last season, as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/), so if a move can go through for the Juventus man, Leeds may feel like they have got the better deal.