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Several of Morocco’s big World Cup performers are already the subject of transfer speculation, with previously little-known midfielder Azzedine Ounahi attracting most attention.
Spain’s sport media have linked the 22-year-old midfielder to Barcelona and his French club Angers say they are resigned to losing him after standout performances as Morocco have gatecrashed the last four of the tournament in Qatar.
READ: France wary of Morocco fans' hostile reception
If he were to make a move in the January transfer window, it would be a remarkable rise, accomplished almost solely on football’s biggest stage as Ounahi arrived at the start of the World Cup unheralded outside of Morocco and Ligue 1.
Thin and frail, he looks a featherweight presence, but his performances in the heart of the Moroccan side have shone, even with better-known team-mates also catching the eye and taking the man-of-the-match awards.
Spanish coach Luis Enrique, highlighting Ounahi’s lack of profile, after Morocco knocked his team out, said:
Two-and-a-half years ago, Ounahi was playing at Avranches in the French third division, having been released by Racing Strasbourg after moving from Morocco aged 15.
After one season, he moved into the top flight signed by Angers and this time last year got a surprise first call-up by Morocco for the Afcon in Cameroon, where he went straight into the starting line-up for the first game.
Ounahi drives the team forward in possession, linking play cleverly with a wide range of passes, quick feet in small spaces and seemingly endless energy.
#FIFAWorldCup
— Tromps Mothowagae ?????? ???????? (@DanieMothowagae) December 14, 2022
Today’s fixture (Wednesday, December 14)
Semifinal 2
France ???? vs Morocco ????, 9pm
?? Winner will face Argentina ???? in the final on Sunday (December 18, 5pm
?? Loser will meet Croatia ???? for bronze medal ?? on Saturday (December 17, 5pm) @City_Press
In the game against Spain, he ran almost 15km. Angers president Said Chabane told French radio on Tuesday:
Spanish newspapers said Ounahi’s pre-World Cup transfer value of €4 million (R73 million) will have increased, with Barcelona preparing to make a bid.
Morocco coach Walid Regragui said it was inevitable the world was taking note of his players but transfer talk was premature with the team still in the tournament. Said Regragui:
