Barcelona are considering a move for Girona midfielder jin88bet.one Azzedine Ou ak168app.baby nahi as they seek to cover the expected three-to-four-month absence of Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands international is set to miss a significant part of the new season after suffering a tear to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. His injury has incr ak168app.club eased pressure on Barcelona to strengthen in midfield, with the possible departure of Marc Casado adding to the club’s concerns.
Spanish television programme El Chiringuito reports that Barcelona’s hierarchy is ser ks168app.site iously examining the possibility of signing Ounahi, the 26-year-old Morocco international. The club is understood to regard midfield recruitment as an urgent priority after De Jong’s injury left the squad short of option ic88 s.
Girona, who were relegated to the Segunda Division, are dema ic88 nding the full value of the release clause in Ounahi’s contract before agreeing to his departure. That clause is set at 25m euros.
Barcelona sporting director Deco is facing growing pressure to complete a deal, particularly because the club’s current midfield alternatives are limited to Pedri, Gavi and Marc Bernal. The situation has becom ic88 e more pressing with the start of the new campaign approaching.
Barcelona are not the only club monitoring Ounahi. Ajax are also among the interested parties, wi ic88 th the Dutch club led by his former manager Michel.
Despite Girona’s relegation, Ounahi enjoye lr88 d an eye-catching campaign last season. He scored five goals and supplied two assists in 24 La Liga appearances, establishing himself as one of the team’s most influential players despite their disappointing results.
However, an injury pre lr88 vented him from facing Barcelona in bot lr88 h of Girona’s meetings with the Catalan side last season. His absence was a notable blow to Michel, given the importance of the midfielder to his plans.
Ounahi also has a painful connection to De Jong. He was part of the Morocco team that eliminated the Netherlands from the la lr88 st 32 of the World Cup on penalties. That match remains De Jong’s most recent appearance for his country.
op88 The two midfielders have different profiles. Ounahi is more attack-minded and can operate in an advanced midfield role or on either wing, while De Jong has traditionally provided Barcelona with control and progression si88 from deeper positions.
Even so, Barcelona see Ounahi as a possible answer to the vacancy created by De Jong’s injury. The Dutchman is currently with his team-mates at Saint George’s Park while continuing his recovery, but he is expected to 88v remain unavailable for several months.
Deco must now decide whether to meet Girona’s 25m-euro demand, while also weighing up interest from Ajax and other European clubs. For Barcelona, the need to reinforce the midfield has become increasingly urgent as they prepare for the new season with limi SEXXXXX-VN ted depth in the position.
