Football
Exclusive: Aston Villa Eye Morocco Star Azzedine Ounahi Amid Africa Cup of Nations Spotlight
Aston Villa target Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from Girona, eyeing his talents for a potential transfer. Ounahi's performance at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations could elevate his status as Villa seeks to strengthen their midfield. Harvey Elliott's anticipated departure prompts the move.
Girona FC v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports by David Ramos | Getty Images
Premier League high-fliers Aston Villa are looking at raiding Girona for Morocco’s midfielder maestro Azzedine Ounahi, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The 25-year-old is set to star for his country at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations in his home nation later this month.
And our sources have learned that Villa will be keeping a close eye on the talented playmaker as Morocco look to win the tournament which runs 21 December until a showcase final on 18 January.
Villa are flying high in third place in the Premier League and Villa boss Unai Emery has identified Ounahi, capped 43 times by his country, as a talented young player he believes can develop even further in his squad.
Ounahi has won many admirers for some exciting performances for the Atlas Lions, as well as during an impressive loan spell with Greek side Panathinaikos last season.
And the Casablanca-born midfielder hopes to take his stock to another lofty level over the next month as Morroco gun to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1976.
Villa are also reportedly leading the Premier League race to secure the signing of Brazilian forward Kaio Jorge, with the talented striker attracting interest from across Europe.
MAIN MAN
Ounahi should get the chance to Morocco’s main man with Achraf Hakimi, last year’s African Footballer of the Year winner, a major doubt to start the tournament due to injury.
Villa are actively looking for a young midfielder to revitalise their midfield engine room, with as Emery builds for the future and for regular Champions League football.
However, Ounahi, who played for Anges and Marseille before a move to Italy, only signed a five-year-deal with Girona in August 2025.
Villa know they are likely to be forced to fork a decent transfer fee to acquire his services, especially with Girona having safeguarded themselves for such a move so early in his tenure at the Montilivi Stadium.
Villa’s race to sign Ounahi also stems from the expected departure of Harvey Elliott, who the club originally had big plans for having signed on a season-long loan deal.
But Elliott has played just three times in the Premier League for Villa this season, with none of them as starts.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.