Morocco star Azzedine Ounahi chooses Panathinaikos despite Ajax interest

Morocco international Azzedine Ounahi is close to returning to Panathinaikos after the Greek club and Girona reached a verbal agreement over the midfielder.

Panathinaikos have moved ahead of competition from Ajax and several other clubs as they work to complete the deal for the 26-year-old.

The Greek side are keen to finalise the transfer quickly so Ounahi can be registered for their Conference League campaign.

Panathinaikos offer Ounahi top salary

Ounahi has been offered the highest salary in Panathinaikos’ squad as the club attempt to convince him to return to Greece.

Greek media reports that the Moroccan is seeking €4m a year, a figure that would make him the highest-paid player in the Greek league.

Girona are understood to be demanding around €15m for the midfielder, with Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Al-Ittihad and Panathinaikos all having met the Spanish club’s valuation.

The final decision was therefore left to Ounahi, who appears to have favoured a return to a club where he enjoyed a successful spell.

Ounahi already knows Panathinaikos

The Morocco international spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Panathinaikos from Marseille and was named the club’s player of the season.

He subsequently joined Girona from Marseille in 2025, but his future at the Catalan club became increasingly uncertain following their relegation.

A return to Panathinaikos would give Ounahi another opportunity to play in Greece and compete in European competition.

Moroccan connection at Panathinaikos

Ounahi could also link up with fellow Moroccan Imran Louza at Panathinaikos.

Louza joined the Greek club from Watford on 28 August, adding another Moroccan presence to the squad.

Panathinaikos reached the Conference League after overcoming their play-off tie 4-3 on aggregate and are eager to have Ounahi available for the competition.

Neither club has officially confirmed the transfer, with Spain’s window closing on 1 September while the Greek market remains open until 15 September.