Leeds United have now made a £22.2 million bid for Azzedine Ounahi, but remain some way off reaching an agreement with Angers for the Morocco international, according to a report from 90min.
The Whites have flown out of the blocks in the early stages of the January transfer window. Max Wober arrived to bolster the defensive options. And the club broke their transfer record to sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim last week.
It now appears that their attention is focused on Ounahi. And it seems that Leeds have made the best offer yet for the youngster.
Leeds step up bid to sign Ounahi
According to a report from 90min, Leeds have outbid both Leicester City and Napoli for the 22-year-old.
MORE LEEDS STORIES
Angers want £26.6 million for Ounahi. Leicester have not gone close to meeting those demands. Meanwhile, Napoli’s offer is worth £13.3 million.
Leeds have now put £22.2 million on the table. But 90min adds that there are still a couple of issues for the Whites to address.
Firstly, Angers would like to keep Ounahi on loan for the rest of the season. And the player himself has already agreed personal terms with Napoli.
If it is possible to bring Ounahi to Elland Road this month, it would be a really exciting piece of business. He was one of the revelations of the World Cup. And Leeds will not turn their nose up at having more quality in the middle of the park.
Jesse Marsch’s men do look set to be involved in a relegation battle this season. So using their remaining budget on someone who will only arrive in the summer would be a gamble.
Having said that, beating Napoli to his signature is not going to be easy. They are running away with the Serie A title this season. In some ways, it may evoke memories of the pursuit of Charles De Ketelaere in the summer.
If a loan gets Leeds across the line, and Victor Orta is not looking to sign anyone else, then meeting Angers’ demands becomes a no-brainer.