Leicester City have reportedly made a lower than expected bid for Azzedine Ounahi. The Foxes are the leading club: here is all you need to know.
The King Power club have entered the transfer market with a point to make: they need creative, energetic, and ambitious signings to improve the side and push others to develop. The Foxes could do with defenders and wingers, although it seems they are also in for midfielders.
This is likely due to the impending losses of Papy Mendy, Youri Tielemans, and possible outgoings for Dennis Praet, Ayoze Perez, and of course the ever-present and nonsense rumours around James Maddison. There will be space in midfield opening up at some point or another.
Leicester City leading the pack
According to the Daily Mail, the East Midlands club have put in a leading bid of around £20m, although I would expect there would also be some form of add-on to such a paltry offer. Rumours may or may not be accurate, but we at least know the Foxes have a genuine interest in the player: other sources have also made similar remarks.
Regardless, the Moroccan international was of integral importance to their World Cup campaign, which saw the African side reach the semi-finals – becoming the first African team to achieve such a feat. To better understand the player, let us briefly explore his positionality, stylistic preference, and value before determining whether the move would be a particularly beneficial one. Spoiler: I like this one.
As Transfermarkt illustrate, the midfielder is certainly just that: a midfielder. Ounahi takes up the centre-mid and/or attacking-mid positions, typically aiming to link up play between defence and attack. There is no evidence of a prolific goal scoring record or even assist record, but the player certainly creates and is involved in build-up from that very central position.
Stylistically, FB Ref shows us the player is more of a progressive midfielder than a creative or defensive one. Rated in the 99th percentile for dribbling, 95th for progressive passing, 92nd for touches, 75th for interceptions. Clearly, the player is your archetypical Tielemans player.
The Moroccan prefers to be involved all over the centre, getting forward to assist build up, getting back to help kick start turn overs. Regularly intercepting passes from opposing midfielders to attackers, Ounahi takes up an integral role in breaking up plays, creating plays, although frequently failing in finishing plays: his lack of goals is concerning when compared with his shooting.
Leicester City should beware of this lack of contributions, although there is certainly no way of knowing how a different coach and different team could impact the performances and contributions of the star. It is likely that with the appropriate roles surrounding the player, the Foxes could see a more clinical and creative side of the Moroccan.
Value wise, Leicester are unlikely to seal the move for merely £20m. If there are £10m in add-ons this could be the price the King Power club end up paying. These figures are not high for a World Cup star, and further still are not that high should the player develop and become a key part of the Premier League squad. One could see Boubakary Soumare, Ounahi, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall filling the heart of our midfield for years to come.
Personally, so long as the other key positions this window are not neglected – be that with loan to buys or permanent transfers – I have no quarrel with this move. Replacing the expecting to leave Belgian star is important. Further, this World Cup talent has proven himself on the biggest stage in the world: now, it is time to prove himself in the Premier League.