Sergio Busquets-esque West Ham and Newcastle target Azzedine Ounahi wants a move but has a clear preference claims a new report.
90Min has reported that Newcastle and West Ham are among a host of clubs who want to sign Ounahi after his stunning World Cup campaign.
It means yet another transfer tussle between Hammers boss David Moyes and his Magpies counterpart Eddie Howe after spending most of the summer fighting over targets.
It is easy to see why the Morocco midfield ace is on the radar of both Newcastle and West Ham.
Ounahi, 22, seriously caught the eye with his performances for Morocco at the World Cup.
Reports suggested Moyes could use Nayef Aguerd to try and lure his Morocco teammate away from Angers.
But Leicester appeared to leapfrog both West Ham and Newcastle in the bidding when they blew Moyes and Howe out of the water by tabling a £39m offer last weekend (L’Équipe).
Since then there was new hope for both clubs with talk that Angers are willing to do business but may insist on keeping Ounahi on loan for the remainder of this season.
But what is also crucial is whether the player himself wants to leave.
Well Sergio Busquets-esque West Ham and Newcastle target Ounahi does want a move but has a clear preference claims a new report.
And it could be bad news for Moyes and Howe.
Because Foot Mercato are reporting that Ounahi is prioritising a move to Serie A, with Napoli in pole position to land the eel-like wiry midfield ace.
Angers are currently rock-bottom of the French top-flight and managerless. And reports claim they are resigned to losing the player.
L’Équipe and 90Min reported on links to Premier League trio West Ham, Newcastle and Leicester with a hefty £39m fee put on his head.
But Foot Mercato now report that Ounahi would prefer a move to Serie A and that the player may not cost as much as is being quoted in L’Équipe.
“Napoli are currently in pole position and would be willing to loan Ounahi back to Angers for the rest of the season, as is the Ligue 1 club’s preference,” Foot Mercato claims.
“In Italy, Inter Milan are also interested.”
It seems the only way West Ham or Newcastle are going to get this deal done in January is if they agree to loan the midfielder back until the summer.
Or of course if they make an offer that is simply too good to refuse – and one the Italian sides can’t compete with.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
‘Never can tell’ Moyes softens January transfer stance in new interview.
Arsenal boss gives Moyes flowers again in new Carragher interview.
Premier League confirm West Ham decision is one of big six this season.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
