West Ham boss David Moyes and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe can now sign eel-like target Azzedine Ounahi if they agree to a stipulation.
If you have been following the first spins of the January transfer rumour mill you will know that West Ham are said to be battling Newcastle for the signing of Morocco World Cup star Ounahi.
According to a report from 90Min, the Hammers and Newcastle are set for yet another transfer tussle having spent most of the summer fighting one another for players.
It is easy to see why the Morocco midfield ace is on the radar of the Magpies and the Hammers.
Ounahi, 22, seriously caught the eye with his performances at the World Cup.
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 at the weekend (L’Équipe).
That was expected to be enough to tempt Angers to sell their wiry central midfielder – who earned glowing comparisons to the likes of Sergio Busquets during the World Cup.
There is new hope for West Ham and Newcastle, though, it seems.
Because West Ham boss Moyes and Newcastle’s Howe can now sign eel-like target Ounahi if they agree to a stipulation.
In a new report L’Équipe claims Ounahi has made it clear he wants to leave Angers and his transfer is said to be ‘inevitable’.
But the deal with Leicester has hit problems because Angers want to have the player loaned back to them for the rest of the season.
Should West Ham or Newcastle agree to that then it may be Angers do a deal with one of them over Leicester.
The report also states that Ounahi may have played his last game for the French club.
“The club would like to sell Ounahi and keep him on loan until the end of the season, with Leicester having already enquired. The Foxes are prepared to offer up to €45m (£39m),” L’Équipe and GFFN claim.
“A transfer also appears inevitable given the budget restrictions Angers are faced with this season – two lucrative transfers (including Sofiane Boufal) would bring some much-needed relief to their finances, in particular considering the profit they will be making on Ounahi, who was recruited from third-tier Avranches less than two years ago.
“Having taken part in the celebrations in Rabat, the two are now on vacation until the start of January. Despite interim manager Abdel Bouhazama’s efforts to stay in touch with them during the World Cup, it may well be the case that they’ve already played their last game for Angers.”
Ounahi is a serious player but clubs will also be wary of going big on a player off the back of a few good games at a World Cup.
Watch this space.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Aguerd spotted in Morocco while West Ham sweat on availability for Arsenal.
Positive or deluded – Moyes has a message for Arsenal ahead of clash.
Reporter close to owners doubles down on Moyes job ultimatum.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
