Newcastle United ‘eye’ World Cup star hailed as ‘absolutely incredible’ by Jose Mourinho

Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Morccco star Azzedine Ounahi.

The 22-year-old midfielder was a key part of his side’s impressive performances at the World Cup as the Atlas Lions saw off the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal to become the first African nation to reach the semi-final of the tournament. Ounahi has appeared in all five of his side’s games in Qatar ahead of Wednesday night’s last-four meeting with France and has attracted praise from former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

Assessing Morocco’s form at the tournament, the Roma boss told Goal: “They have individuals: [Yassine] Bounou was an individual during the competition and in this game was the same; [Sofyan] Amrabat, I know him from Italian football, very good player but their number eight, the young boy that plays in France in Angers, Ounahi was absolutely incredible. So they have players, a coach and an incredible spirit.”

Ounahi plays for French side Angers at club level and has made 14 appearances so far this season as his side has struggled in Ligue 1, sitting bottom of the table ahead of the World Cup break after winning just two of their 15 games during the opening months of the campaign.

90Min have claimed Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain have all sent scouts to watch the midfielder of the last year but his performances at the World Cup Finals have sparked further interest in his signature. Newcastle are name-checked alongside Premier League rivals Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, as well as Serie A club Atalanta.

The report also suggests Leicester City are ‘pursuing’ Ounahi ahead of the January transfer window and could allow Youri Tielemans to join Arsenal if they complete a deal for the Morocco star.