Following claims that Leeds United had made a bid for Azzedine Ounahi, there has been constant talk of the interest in Italy.
That’s because Napoli are also very keen, but they aren’t prepared to go that high with their bid, and certainly cannot compete with Premier League sides.
That being said, while Leeds do have the financial advantage, Ounahi himself would rather go to Naples, where he knows he would compete for trophies under Luciano Spalletti.
Still, for that to happen, he would need the Serie A side to get a bid accepted by Angers and their president Saïd Chabane, which has yet to be the case.
That’s because, according to Tuttosport, he wants to ‘unleash an auction’ for his protégé, who saw his stock soar following great performances at the World Cup with Morocco.
As things stand, Napoli have offered €15m that can ‘almost reach €20m with bonuses’, but that doesn’t appear to be enough, even if they are willing to loan him back for the remainder of the campaign.
It’s also pointed out the midfielder ‘has many suitors’, which is when Leicester and Leeds are mentioned, although their previously reported €25m offer isn’t.
Whether that’s because this hasn’t reached the Italian press, we’re not sure, but it could be that the Whites have put this on hold while they sort out the deal for Georginio Rutter, who is clearly the priority at this moment in time for Jesse Marsch’s side.
