Azzedine Ounahi: Napoli make rival bid for Leicester target

Napoli have made an offer to sign Morocco World Cup star Azzedine Ounahi, sources have told 90min.

The midfielder played a pivotal role in the Atlas Lions’ historic run to the semi-finals this winter, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from Ligue 1 side Angers as a result.

90min reported last week that Leicester City had made a €28m offer for Ounahi, but this is roughly €12m short of Angers’ asking price.

A further sticking point is that Angers would like any deal for Ounahi to allow them to keep him for the rest of the season – they are currently mired in a relegation battle, sitting bottom of the Ligue 1 table seven points adrift from safety.

90min understands that Napoli have now made an opening bid for Ounahi worth €15m plus add-ons, but their offer includes Angers’ preferred loan-back agreement.

The 22-year-old has plenty of admirers from within Ligue 1 with PSG, Lyon and Marseille all interested. Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham also like him, though none of these sides have joined Napoli and Leicester in making firm offers just yet.

Angers have been hoping to use this interest to kickstart a bidding war, with Leicester’s offer seemingly forcing Napoli to firm up their intentions.