In the middle of a transfer saga that has run for weeks without resolution, Azzedine Ounahi‘s future remains unsettled. The Moroccan midfielder, 26, is at the center of talks between Ajax and Girona, with reports suggesting he traveled to Amsterdam to discuss personal terms and a potential move to the Dutch club. However, other accounts dispute this, claiming Girona never granted permission for such a trip. This contradiction reflects the broader confusion surrounding the deal, which has yet to produce a concrete agreement.
Did Ounahi really fly to Amsterdam, or is Girona’s denial the real story here? The saga remains murky.
At the heart of the dispute is Girona’s valuation of the player. Ounahi’s contract, reportedly running until 2030, gives the Spanish club strong leverage. A release clause of €25m has been widely cited, though some reports suggest figures closer to €20m, or even €10–15m, given Girona’s recent relegation and shifting market conditions. This gap between the official clause and the practical asking price has complicated negotiations with Ajax, who are reportedly unwilling or unable to meet the full amount.
Despite the financial friction, Ajax remains one of the clubs most attractive to Ounahi, largely due to the sporting project on offer in Amsterdam. Talks have reportedly progressed through three-way discussions involving Ajax, Girona, and the player’s representatives, focused on structuring a fee below the release clause. At one point, sources suggested Ajax came close to an agreement before Girona’s demands and rising competition led to a partial retreat from the race.
Girona, for its part, appears open to selling, provided the fee exceeds €10m. The club has been described as keen to monetize the asset this summer, even as it holds firm on securing a strong return. Other clubs, including PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona, have been linked with interest, while Ipswich Town, Hull City, and Al-Ittihad remain part of the wider speculation. Ounahi rose to prominence as a key part of Morocco’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-final, an achievement that cemented his status as a rising star of the Atlas Lions. Like several of his international teammates, Ounahi’s path to the national team reflects the broader influence of Morocco’s diaspora on the makeup of the Atlas Lions squad.
With no resolution yet, the situation remains fluid, and Ounahi’s next destination is still uncertain. For Morocco’s Atlas Lions supporters, the outcome could shape his club form ahead of future international commitments.
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