Leeds United failed to land Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi during the January window, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying as they put in a massive offer compared to the one that Marseille succeeded with.
The Whites went big in the January window to ensure that they had enough strength in the squad to avoid relegation this season, signing a centre-back, midfielder, and striker to bolster the squad.
Weston McKennie was the player Leeds eventually landed on as they hunted for a new midfield signing, but he wasn’t Leeds’ initial target – that was Morocco and then-Angers star Azzedine Ounahi.
Why didn’t Leeds sign Ounahi?
After the World Cup, Leeds had set their sights on making Morocco’s breakout star Ounahi, aiming to add some creativity to the midfield after losing Mateusz Klich to DC United.
Sources even indicated to Leeds All Over that the Whites had sent representatives to Paris to conduct talks with the 22-year-old over an Elland Road transfer.
However, he instead sealed a shock move to Marseille for a cut-price deal reported at around €8million, plus €2million in add-ons.
What’s the latest?
Now, French journalist Romain Molina has discussed the difference between the offers made by Leeds and Marseille.
Speaking via Le10 Sport, Molina shared this on the contrasting size of bids from Leeds and their Ligue 1 counterparts:
“He’s gone to Marseille for €8m+€2m [bonuses], it’s true. Knowing that Leeds had offered €20m (£17.5m). It was only Leeds who had a firm offer for Ounahi. Napoli had inquired a little, but the firm offer came from Leeds. The player didn’t want to go.”
Will Leeds stay up?
Yes
No
Ounahi’s time at Marseille is yet to bare fruit for his new club, with only one league start to his name so far.
However, there is no denying he could have improved this squad at Leeds, given our need for someone creative in midfield, while having the energy needed to still work well out of possession.
Ounahi for the money we would have paid, would have been a decent signing and investment for us, but it clearly wasn’t to be.
Think we dodged a bullet on him anyway. One good world cup does not a superstar make