Girona Faces Challenge to Keep Star Azzedine Ounahi Amid €20m Release Clause Interest

Girona's season has seen its share of highs and lows, but recent momentum from Monday's decisive win against Villarreal offers some optimism. Despite this, the Catalan club faces a potentially challenging summer as they confront the familiar threat of key players departing Montilivi.

Previous transfer windows have seen notable exits, including Aleix Garcia, Artem Dovbyk, and Miguel Gutierrez, which significantly impacted Michel Sanchez's squad performance. Even with the team currently just four points shy of a potential European spot for the 2026-27 season, there's concern that this achievement might not be sufficient to retain their top talent.

Vitor Reis is set to return to Manchester City following the conclusion of his loan spell. Furthermore, the futures of Arnau Martinez and Viktor Tsygankov, both previously linked with moves, remain unclear. However, the most significant departure could be Azzedine Ounahi, who has enjoyed a stellar debut season in Catalonia.

Despite being limited to just 16 appearances this season due to a series of injuries, Ounahi has consistently delivered exceptional performances when fit. Consequently, it's hardly surprising that he's attracting interest from prominent clubs across Spain, England, and Germany, according to reports from El Chiringuito.

Adding to the concern, Ounahi's reported release clause stands at a modest €20 million, making him an attractive and accessible target, particularly for financially powerful Premier League teams. This situation raises the possibility that he may only spend a single season at Montilivi, a prospect that would undoubtedly disappoint the club's fanbase.

Potential Suitors for Ounahi May Multiply Following the Upcoming World Cup

Assuming he remains in peak condition, Ounahi is expected to feature for Morocco in this summer's World Cup. His participation on North America's premier football stage could significantly broaden his appeal, potentially drawing even more clubs into the bidding war during the summer transfer window. Girona might find themselves helpless to prevent his departure.