Leeds United are believed to be interested in potentially bringing in Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi in the January transfer window.
And presenter Conor McGilligan has been left buzzing after hearing the 22-year-old has reportedly caught the attention of Andrea Radrizzani.
According to Victor Orta, the midfielder has caught the eye of Leeds’ owner during the World Cup, having helped his country reach the final four.
Speaking on Spanish radio, Orta said: “I’m going to be honest, I’ll mention a name – Ounahi, the Morocco number 8.
“How many messages have I received about him? Even my President has messaged me! ‘Where was this guy? We haven’t seen him!’ Even the President!”
However, it seems as if Leeds may not be the only Premier League outfit to be showing an interest in Ounahi with reports claiming Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham United are just some with him on their radar.
And having heard Orta’s comments, McGilligan has urged the West Yorkshire club to make the move and bring in the player who has impressed on the world’s biggest stage:
“That’s definitely an attainable one obviously not a massive side and France and then we’re a Premier League side we are Leeds United, we should be able to go and get that one done.
“Another one where Leeds should be bullying clubs and getting that one done. That is a deal that even if we’re paying £15m/£20m for a midfielder that is someone who, if the scouting is right, the player is in form, he’s done exceptionally well for Morocco. He’s clearly got a much better physical output than Victor Orta expected. That is something that we should be getting done. ”
TIF Thoughts on McGilligan’s comments…
Ounahi has certainly been one of the standout players to emerge from Morocco’s impressive showing in Qatar having started in all six of their games at the World Cup.
And it is apparent the 22-year-old caught the eyes of more than just Radrizzani with Jed Davies hailing the Moroccan’s displays as “world-class“.
The Angers star has played a big role in their Ligue 1 campaign this season with 14 league appearances but his future may now be in doubt having completed an impressive 83% successful take-ons rate during their time in Qatar.
With the likes of Adam Forshaw seeing their future at Elland Road come under some doubt ahead of the January window, someone like Ounahi could bring a much-needed improvement to the Leeds squad.