Azzedine Ounahi’s Ajax hopes fade as Amsterdam club targets new midfield leader

Azzedine Ounahi’s proposed move to Ajax appears increasingly unlikely, with the Dutch club prioritising a different type of midfielder and facing competition from wealthier clubs for the Morocco international.

Before Julian Brandt’s arrival, Ounahi was regarded as a leading target for the London club. However, the midfielder’s prospects of joining the Amsterdam side have now stalled, according to Voetbal International. The report also says Ajax’s other option for the same position, Oscar Gloukh, has no interest in a move to Deportivo La Coruna.

Ajax’s main midfield objective is to sign a genuine playmaker who can operate as a footballing number six. Manager Michel Sanchez wants a defensive midfielder who can contribute technically, provide leadership and take responsibility for organising the team’s play.

Edson Alvarez is considered only a partial fit for those requirements. Patrick Berg, meanwhile, has been linked with Ajax for some time and is viewed as a closer match to the profile under consideration.

“The captain of FK Bodø/Glimt and the Norway national team has often been mentioned in connection with Ajax and was also discussed internally this summer, but his chances of joining the club appear slim,” Voetbal International said in a detailed analysis.

Technical director Jordi Cruijff had also explored a possible move for Dani Ceballos, who remains without a club. That interest highlights Cruijff’s close attention to the free-agent market. He has already used it to recruit an established name in Brandt.

Ounahi was one of Cruijff’s priority targets before the Germany playmaker arrived. The Morocco international, who plays for Girona, continues to be linked with Ajax by the Spanish media.

“Ounahi flourished under Michel and is not against Ajax, but the question is whether his arrival is financially feasible, because other clubs are offering sums beyond Cruijff’s means,” Voetbal International reported.

The financial issue is therefore central to any potential deal. Although Ounahi has impressed under Michel and would not automatically reject a move to Ajax, the club could struggle to compete with offers from teams prepared to pay more.

Ajax also still have Gloukh in their squad for the same attacking midfield role. Michel is reportedly very pleased with the Israel international, although there has been little concrete progress regarding his future.

Gloukh is said to have no interest in joining Deportivo La Coruna, who return to La Liga this season. That reduces the likelihood of a departure for the Israeli midfielder and leaves Ajax with another player already available for the position Ounahi would occupy.

With Brandt now signed, Gloukh still part of the squad and Ounahi attracting stronger financial proposals elsewhere, the Morocco international’s return to Ajax has become increasingly difficult to complete.