Aston Villa are reportedly ready to make a sustained effort to sign Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi.
When the 22-year-old went to the World Cup with Morocco in November, he was a relative unknown to bigger clubs having failed to make an impression in an Angers side who sit bottom of Ligue 1.
However, on the back of starring for the Atlas Lions during their run to the semi-finals in Qatar, Ounahi is now regarded as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
For a number of weeks, the likes of Napoli, Leeds United and Leicester City have all been linked with the player, while Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were briefly credited as admirers.
Nevertheless, according to Italian journalist Ciro Venerato, Villa have emerged as one of the more likely destinations for Ounahi before the end of the January transfer window.
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Venerato claims that Villa have moved to try to sign Ounahi after failing to negotiate a deal with Juventus for Weston McKennie.
Speaking to Tg Sport, Venerato said: "These are decisive days for the Moroccan midfielder. The president of Angers left for England yesterday [Monday] and it seems that he is talking to Aston Villa who received a no from the Juventus player, [Weston] McKennie, two days ago, more than Leeds."
"Napoli are in view and pessimistic about this negotiation, Aurelio De Laurentiis' club in fact reiterates that they will not go beyond the €15m offered. They also reiterated it a few hours ago to his agent."
Villa are already well stocked for options in the centre of the pitch with Boubacar Kamara and Leander Dendoncker joining the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey in their ranks during the summer.
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None of that quintet have been linked with a January exit, yet it appears that Villa are willing to at least match Napoli's maximum offer.
Angers remain in a strong position with regards to the player's future due to three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
Le SCO currently sit bottom of the Ligue 1 standings, seven points adrift of safety, leaving president Said Chabane with a decision to make over whether to cash in on the club's most prized asset or hope that he can spearhead an upturn in fortunes.
Ounahi has featured for 1137 minutes in France's top flight during 2022-23 without providing a goal or assist.
Darren Plant
