Hull City and Ipswich Town have popped in the conversation to sign Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi. Both have stepped up their efforts.
The Morocco international looks likely to leave the Spanish club before the window closes. And Hull and Ipswich are now among the sides pushing hardest for him.
Spain’s Mundo Deportivo provide an update on the 26-year-old’s future.
Hull and Ipswich make their move
Hull City and Ipswich Town have “started to push” for Ounahi. Both English clubs want the midfielder and are now “moving with intensity” as they try to get a deal moving.
They have plenty of competition. Al-Ittihad are also applying pressure and offer the former Marseille player the possibility of moving to Saudi Arabia. Ajax have meanwhile returned to the picture after showing interest earlier in the summer.
The Dutch side have an obvious card to play. Manager Míchel knows Ounahi well from his time together at Girona and would be keen to work with him again.
Ajax previously struggled to make progress because of Girona’s financial demands and competition for the player. Their renewed interest now adds another option.
Ounahi wants the right project
Mundo Deportivo explain that Ounahi wants a project which convinces him. That could give Hull and Ipswich something to work with as they compete against the financial attraction of Saudi Arabia.
Ounahi has recently returned to Girona following the World Cup with Morocco and his subsequent holiday. His performances at the tournament helped put him further in the shop window. He also became the first Girona player to score at a World Cup finals.
Girona, for their part, have reasons to encourage a transfer. Selling Ounahi would bring in money and free up an important place on their wage bill. That would give the Spanish club more room to make further additions before the deadline.
Hull and Ipswich have now moved beyond simply being interested, at least according to Wednesday’s report. With Ajax and Al-Ittihad also pushing, the next issue is which project can convince Ounahi.
