A Moroccan midfielder is reportedly set to leave his club this summer and wants to move to Ajax.
Having now completed the signing of Jofre Torrents from Barcelona, Ajax are looking to make another four signings before the transfer window closes, although that is partially dependent on certain departures.
Ajax are in the market for a left winger to replace Mika Godts, and Noa Lang is at the top of the club's shortlist, but they are facing strong competition from Turkish giants Galatasaray.
A right winger is also a priority. Steven Berghuis doesn't suit the profile of winger Michel Sanchez wants, and Maher Carrizo is not ready to regularly start games for Ajax. A new centre-back could also arrive if Josip Sutalo and Ko Itakura leave.
Ajax also want to strengthen the midfield before the window closes. They have already signed Julian Brandt, who joined on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. They are now keen on a new defensive midfielder. Edson Álvarez has been earmarked as the club's top target, but that deal is now unlikely to happen. Álvarez is set to be close to completing a move to a La Liga side, Real Sociedad.
Ounahi wants to move to Ajax
Ajax had been in talks earlier this summer to sign Azzedine Ounahi from Girona, but talks have gone quiet for quite some time now. Even before signing Brandt, it was clear Ajax wanted a more attacking-minded midfielder, having also made an attempt to sign Sven Mijnans from AZ Alkmaar before he moved to PSV Eindhoven.
Jordi Cruijff has said that talks around a deal for Brandt had been ongoing for months, which means Ajax were working on deals for Ounahi and Mijnans concurrently. This could mean that Ajax are still open to signing Ounahi, despite having already signed Brandt.
According to Cadena SER, Ounahi has several suitors, but Ajax is one of the clubs that has shown the most interest in the Moroccan midfielder.
The report claims that options such as Hull City, clubs in Saudi Arabia and other proposals are also on the table, but the possibility of working with Míchel again and playing in the Netherlands seems especially attractive to the player.
Is Ounahi what Ajax need?
Ajax need a defensive midfielder, and that is not the role Ounahi excels in. He is more of a No. 10 or advanced No. 8.
Adding a player of Ounahi's quality will make Ajax stronger, but he will likely cost a considerable amount of money, and Ajax have other priorities.
They need to strengthen the attacking flanks and defensive midfield position, and a new centre-back seems to be becoming increasingly more important.
It could be possible that if Ajax miss out on Lang, they decide to sign no left winger. In that case, Oscar Gloukh could take that position, with Brandt as the no. 10 and Ounahi as the no. 8, next to whichever defensive midfielder Ajax signs.
Had Ajax not signed Brandt, Ounahi would have been an excellent signing, but that ship has probably now sailed. Ajax have other priorities.
