Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Barcelona had shown an interest in Angers SCO and Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi.
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of Morocco’s most important players in their shock run to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Ounahi’s exploits in the centre of the park has alerted the Blaugrana, who are seeing him as a cost-effective option to bolster the midfield department, given that he can play both as an interior or as a pivot midfielder.
However, according to fresh reports from L’Equipe, Barcelona are set to face competition from Premier League club Leicester City. The Foxes are ready to break the bank for the 22-year-old Ounahi and offer a sum of €45 million for his services.
Leicester could be viewing the Moroccan as a possible replacement for Youri Tielemans, whose contract expires at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Barcelona, among other clubs.
Ounahi arrived at Angers only last year and has made 47 appearances so far, scoring and assisting two goals apiece. He is contracted with the club until 2026, but the French outfit are not ruling out a sale, with president Said Chabane recently confirming as much in an interview.
While there are no concrete offers on the table for the 22-year-old Moroccan international, interest in him is mounting by the day.
Apart from Barcelona and Leicester City, La Liga club Sevilla are also said to be tracking the World Cup semi-finalist, who could be on his way out of Angers SCO in the upcoming January transfer window itself.
A potential bidding war does not bode well for Barça in their attempt to sign Ounahi. The Blaugrana had shown an interest in Ounahi as they believed he could be a low-cost signing for January, but the rising interest could pour cold water on their plans.
Barcelona are already struggling with Financial Fair Play issues and could find it difficult to shell out significant sums for the player in January, especially if Leicester do go ahead with their €45 million offer.