FC Barcelona is currently studying the purchase of a replacement for injured midfielder Frenkie de Jong according to El Chiringuito and SPORT, who both cited anonymous sources.
Girona’s Azzedine Ounahi has emerged as a potential candidate, and comes cheap with a $28.8 million (€25 million) release clause amid Girona’s relegation last term.
As for De Jong, the Dutchman is once more injured. After the Netherlands was knocked out of the 2026 World Cup at the last 32 stage by Ounahi’s Morocco on penalties, De Jong’s return to Catalonia soon revealed that he has suffered a tear of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.
De Jong is believed to be out for three months, and anything up to six if he ends up requiring surgery.
This is terrible news for the defending La Liga champions and manager Hansi Flick, who is left with a short supply of defensive midfielders other than Eric Garcia and Marc Bernal.
Such a development could force Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta to head to the market, with the season set to get underway via August 23’s away trip to Elche in three weeks’ time.
Ounahi has emerged as a top candidate for FC Barcelona
With a release clause of just $28.8 million (€25 million) as mentioned, Girona’s Ounahi is wanted by a number of top European clubs.
Ajax currently lead the race for him, as it is in Amsterdam that he’d be reunited with former Girona boss Michel, and most probably Barça goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen closing in on a loan deal there.
Aged 26, while scoring five goals and providing two assists across 24 league games last seasons, Ounahi also proved that he’s still at the peak of his powers during Morocco’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals where they were knocked out by France.
If Barça decides to make its interest concrete, and manages to get Ounahi, it must be noted that he wouldn’t be a direct replacement for De Jong as a “pivot”.
He’s more offensive than the Dutchman, yet would offer manager Flick a number of different roles like Eric Garcia by being able to play in attacking midfield or on the wing.
Such an incorporation would probably mean Gavi, Bernal or Garcia playing alongside Pedri to add defensive control for FC Barcelona, as it seeks a “threepeat” of La Liga crowns in addition to the elusive Champions League title.
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