Ajax close in on Azzedine Ounahi as Moroccan influence grows

Ajax are nearing an agreement to sign Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi from Girona in a deal worth about 10m euros, according to Soccer212, in a move that would further strengthen the club’s Moroccan contingent.

The 26-year-old has impressed during the 2025-26 season, making 24 appearances for Girona and contributing five goals and three assists. He also scored twice for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup, taking his international record to 55 caps and 11 goals.

Ajax are understood to have reached an agreement with the Catalan club over Ounahi’s transfer. The midfielder had previously been given permission by Girona to open talks with the Amsterdam-based side.

If the move goes through, Ounahi will leave Girona only a year after joining from Olympique de Marseille. His departure would also come four years before the expiry of his contract with the club.

He would become the second Morocco international to join Ajax this summer, following Sofyan Amrabat. The defensive midfielder’s arrival from Fenerbahce was officially confirmed by Ajax on Sunday, with the 30-year-old signing a two-year contract.

Amrabat welcomed the move on social media, saying:

« Je suis fier de rejoindre un club aussi riche en histoire et en ambition que l’Ajax. Je remercie Jordi Cruijff pour la confiance qu’il m’a temoignee tout au long de ce processus, ainsi que le club et l’entraineur pour la confiance qu’ils m’ont accordee. Il est desormais temps de se mettre au travail et de tout donner. J’ai hate d’aider l’equipe et de creer ensemble quelque chose d’exceptionnel. Je suis heureux d’etre enfin ici. C’est parti ! »

The potential arrival of Ounahi would add to an emerging Moroccan presence within the Ajax squad. The club already have Morocco youth internationals Abdellah Ouazane and Rayane Bounida on their books.

Ouazane, 17, made eight appearances during the season, including three starts, and recorded one goal and three assists. Bounida is currently recovering from injury.

Bounida responded to Amrabat’s signing in the comments section of the midfielder’s official Instagram post, welcoming the arrival of his fellow Moroccan.

Ounahi’s proposed move would therefore give Ajax two established Morocco internationals who already know each other from the national team. It would also continue the development of a Moroccan group at the Dutch club, with Ouazane and Bounida adding younger representation to the squad.

The transfer remains subject to completion, but Ajax are reported to be close to finalising a deal for Ounahi after a season in which he produced both goals and assists for Girona and played a significant part in Morocco’s 2026 World Cup campaign.