Morocco’s Azzedine Ounahi Joins Panathinaikos on Loan with Purchase Option

Panathinaikos has hijacked Olympiacos's desired move for Olympique de Marseille's midfielder Azzedine Ounahi and completed the deal to acquire the Moroccan player.

Rabat – Panathinaikos has hijacked Olympiacos’s desired move for Olympique de Marseille’s midfielder Azzedine Ounahi and completed the deal to acquire the Moroccan player.

The 24-year-old, box-to-box midfielder is going to join the Greek team in the hopes of reigniting his career after he’s fallen out of favour with the new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

According to Foot Mercato, Panathinaikos FC and Olympiacos FC have both reached an agreement with Olympique de Marseille for Ounahi to sign the Moroccan international on loan. It was up to the player to pick a team out of the two Greek arch-rivals.

The deal includes an option to buy, with reports suggesting a potential €11.5 million transfer fee.

Separately, the clearout stands to continue after Marseille made nine players available for transfer as they look to raise cash to fund the squad overhaul that De Zerbi desires. Marseille have therefore placed Ounahi on the list of departures this summer alongside the likes of Chancel Mbemba and Jordan Veretout.

Ounahi played in the preseason for Marseille. But it was clear that with the additions of Ismaël Koné from Watford and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg from Tottenham, as well as the return of club captain Valentin Rongier from a long-term injury, that the Moroccan midfielder’s time at the club was going to be limited.