Barcelona's New Target: Moroccan Star Ounahi

Frenkie de Jong's torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee has pushed Barcelona into an urgent search for a solution in the transfer market. According to Sport and El Chiringuito, the club is considering bringing Girona's 26-year-old Moroccan star Azzedine Ounahi to Camp Nou. Barcelona officially confirmed that De Jong's treatment would be monitored over the coming months, with the midfielder expected to be sidelined for three to six months.

Following Girona's relegation last season, a €25 million release clause in Ounahi's contract was activated, making him a highly accessible option for Barcelona. His stock rose further after standing out at the 2026 World Cup, where he featured for Morocco in their round-of-32 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands. Ounahi's name had already been on Barcelona's radar previously, following his breakout performances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Analysts note that Ounahi would not be a direct like-for-like replacement for De Jong as a "pivot," as the Moroccan is a more attack-minded player, capable of operating in central midfield or out wide. Should Barcelona complete the signing, manager Hansi Flick may need to lean more heavily on players like Eric Garcia or Marc Bernal to provide defensive balance. With the club pursuing a domestic "threepeat" and Champions League glory, the move is also seen as a financially sensible option given Barcelona's ongoing budget constraints.

Source: Sport
Image: Futbol Fantasy