Ounahi Interests Ajax, Hull City, Ipswich Town And Al-Ittihad

Azzedine Ounahi’s future has become one of the more contested subplots of the current transfer window, with four clubs from three different countries circling the Girona midfielder. Ajax Amsterdam, Hull City, Ipswich Town and Al-Ittihad have all been linked, each offering a different kind of project, and each facing its own set of obstacles in trying to get a deal done.

Four clubs, three countries, one midfielder: Ounahi’s transfer saga pits contrasting projects against each other, each carrying its own complications.

Ajax’s interest looks the most tactically driven. The Dutch club identified Ounahi as their primary midfield target after watching him impress at the World Cup and during his loan spell at Girona, where he showed the kind of creativity and progressive passing Ajax feel they currently lack. The presence of Míchel, Ounahi’s former coach at Girona, now working at Ajax, adds a personal dimension to the pursuit. Girona’s asking price complicates matters, though. His contract runs to 2030 and carries a €25million release clause, which Ajax view as steep. Talks are reportedly focused on lowering the fixed fee while adding performance-based structures instead. Even so, some reports suggest Ajax are now the club closest to an agreement.

In England, the Championship has produced unexpected competition. Hull City have “stepped up” their pursuit, seeing Ounahi as a potential marquee addition for their promotion push, while Ipswich Town have shown what has been described as “enormous desire” to bring him in as a central playmaker. Interestingly, this English interest echoes the trajectory of another Moroccan talent, Ismael Saibari, whose own rise has drawn comparisons in terms of technical style and international pedigree.

Both clubs are said to be working directly with Girona and intermediaries to find a workable structure, and neither is relying purely on financial muscle to win the race. Instead, they are pitching regular first-team football and a central tactical role as their main selling points.

Al-Ittihad represents the financial outlier. The Saudi club has entered the race with wages that reportedly exceed anything the European clubs can offer, positioning itself as a tempting option purely in monetary terms. Still, question marks remain over whether that alone satisfies Ounahi’s stated desire for a credible sporting project. Ounahi’s rise to prominence was cemented by his standout performances for Morocco during their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, a tournament that first alerted many of these suitors to his talent.

With four clubs pushing simultaneously and Girona holding a firm valuation, the coming weeks are likely to determine which project ultimately wins out.