Atlético Madrid has zeroed in on Azzedine Ounahi as a midfield priority, moving quickly after Girona’s relegation from La Liga left the club’s squad open to offers. The Moroccan international has emerged as a central figure in Atlético’s plans to reshape its midfield for the coming season, and multiple reports suggest the club is prepared to spend around €20 million to secure his signature.
Atlético Madrid is moving fast on Azzedine Ounahi, ready to pay around €20 million to reshape its midfield.
That figure lines up closely with Ounahi’s release clause, which most sources place at roughly €20 million, though some reports mention a clause as high as €25 million. Girona holds him under contract until June 2030, giving the club considerable leverage in any negotiation. Still, the drop into Segunda División has changed the calculation. Some reports suggest Girona’s realistic asking price could fall closer to €10 million, even with the higher clause on paper, as the club looks to raise funds quickly to rebuild after relegation.
Atlético is far from alone in this pursuit. Villarreal, Barcelona, Aston Villa, Ajax, Hull City, and Al-Ittihad have all been linked with Ounahi, turning this into a genuinely competitive chase across multiple leagues. That kind of interest is not surprising given his performances this year.
At 26, Ounahi is entering his prime years as a central midfielder, and he built on his growing reputation with strong showings for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup. Ounahi has become a key member of the Atlas Lions, the nickname for Morocco’s national team, cementing his status as one of the country’s brightest football talents. Like several of his national teammates, Ounahi is part of a broader trend in which Morocco’s diaspora has become instrumental in shaping the modern Atlas Lions squad. During Girona’s relegation season, he still managed five league goals, a solid tally for a player operating mostly from midfield.
His game is built on comfort under pressure, progressive dribbling, and a willingness to drive forward with the ball. Those qualities appeal directly to Atlético’s vision of a more dynamic midfield unit. His path to this point has included stops at Marseille and a club in Greece before his revival in Girona colors.
For Atlético, the logic is straightforward. Girona’s relegation created an opening, and the club is trying to move decisively before rivals close the gap. With market valuations for Ounahi ranging between €10 million and €18 million, even a €20 million fee would represent a premium, but one Atlético appears willing to pay for a player they see fitting their midfield rebuild.
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