Azzedine Ounahi has turned down interest from José Mourinho and Fenerbahçe to complete a move to Spartak Moscow, sealing a transfer deal worth around €12 million with Marseille.
The 25-year-old midfielder recently returned to Marseille after a loan spell at Panathinaikos.
Spartak’s offer has reportedly won the race for Ounahi, but the Moroccan international has yet to give his final approval.
While the Russian club has proposed a significantly higher salary and Marseille are keen to finalize the deal, Ounahi is taking time to weigh his options.
Discussions are ongoing, with the player reflecting on whether a move to Moscow is the right step in his career.
Under contract with Marseille until June 2027, Ounahi will help finance his transfer to Spartak through a compulsory €12 million fee.
Marseille will also need to share part of the transfer proceeds—estimated at 30%—with Angers, the club he joined prior to arriving at Marseille.
The Moroccan midfielder enjoyed a successful season with Panathinaikos, where he made 37 appearances and contributed five goals along with seven assists in all competitions.
This impressive form earned him recognition and rekindled interest from clubs across Europe. His performances in Greece boosted his profile and likely helped raise Spartak’s offer.
Despite interest from Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe and Brighton, negotiations with Spartak appear to have progressed most rapidly. The Russian side is now awaiting Ounahi’s approval to complete terms.
His arrival would provide Spartak with a technically gifted, tactically versatile midfielder, able to dictate tempo and unlock defences.
However, the move to Russia raises broader sporting implications. Russian clubs remain barred from UEFA competitions, which could limit Ounahi’s exposure on the continental stage.
This is a factor he is reportedly considering as he weighs his options.
Marseille have pushed forward with the deal to clear space in their squad ahead of the new season and to fund potential incoming transfers.
Meanwhile, Spartak hope to clinch the deal by offering improved personal terms and positioning him at a competitive salary level.
As it stands, Ounahi’s future will be clarified only when he issues his final decision. If he rejects Spartak’s proposal, interest from Turkey or England may resurface.
But should he choose the Russian capital, it will mark a new chapter in his career—one shaped by ambition, financial reward, and a desire to reignite his career at a club investing heavily in talent.
In the coming days, observers will watch for an official statement. Should Ounahi green-light the transfer, Spartak Moscow will announce the acquisition of the Morocco international.
Until then, Ounahi remains at a crossroads between European exposure and a lucrative, yet less conventional, pathway in Russia.
