The summer mercato will close this Friday, September 1, 2023 at 11:59pm at the latest.In Money Time, a number of African players are set to sign for new clubs.
Azzedine Ounahi could leave OM in the next few hours
Deadline Day!All the sporting directors and agents will be glued to their phones, while the players will be by their suitcases, ready to take off on the first available private jet. It's a favorite moment for many soccer fans to experience the final hours of the mercato, with transfers sometimes going awry at the very last minute. From now until Friday September 1, it's all about the mercato. And African players will not be left out.
Ounahi between the Premier League and La Liga
The major upheaval at Olympique de Marseille, with the arrival of a new coach and several new recruits, has prompted Azzedine Ounahi to look elsewhere. Astonishing! Only 6 months in Marseille and already on the move. Recruited for 10 million euros from Angers after the World Cup in Qatar, where he was impressive with the Moroccan national team, reaching the semi-finals, he has never found his place at OM. This was due to the fact that he was under the orders of two coaches, Igor Tudor and Marcelino, whose game plans were incompatible with Azzedine Ounahi's profile. Hence the desire to enjoy himself elsewhere. In search of a club that counts on him and is prepared to give him the best conditions to express himself, the Atlas Lion has no shortage of suitors. In the final hours of the mercato, the 23-year-old midfielder was in the sights of Saudi club Al-Ahli.
However, Azzedine Ounahi turned down the Saudi offer, preferring to pursue his career in Europe. The most attractive approaches have come from England. Despite Burnley's covetousness, Brentford are the most insistent, as they need reinforcements following the serious injuries to Dasilva and Baptiste.Brentford's English managers are in talks with OM to reach an agreement in the next few hours.According to L'Equipe, a major Spanish club, whose identity has not yet been revealed, has also entered the fray. Valued at 12 million euros by Transfermark, the Moroccan international could leave Olympique de Marseille in the next few hours for a new adventure.
Fodé Ballo-Touré on hold
Fodé Ballo-Touré's desire to leave has been expressed since the start of the mercato.Fodé Ballo-Touré has announced his desire to leave AC Milan to join a club capable of giving him the necessary playing time. Barred by Théo Hernandez, the Senegalese international has his sights set on the 2023 African Cup of Nations, where his place as a starter with the Lions will be up for grabs with the emergence of Ismail Jakobs.The left-back's case has been dragging on for several months with no end in sight. Thiago Motta's Bologna had approached Fodé Ballo-Touré in the past, but Werder Bremen are now his priority. AC Milan prefer to seal a deal with Belgian club Royal Antwerp, who are also very interested in the Lion. While the Rossoneri have already found his successor (Borna Sosa), AC Milan are waiting for Fodé Ballo-Touré's departure to finalize the deal. Everything is likely to come down to the last few minutes for the Senegalese.
🔴 Fodé Ballo-Touré n'a pas l'intention de signer au Royal Antwerp, le Werder Brême reste sa destination favorite.
[@lucabianchin7] pic.twitter.com/TQ37QuNU68
— AC Milan - FR (@AC_MilanFR) August 27, 2023
Ndidi one step away from Forest
The countdown has begun and Wilfred Ndidi is eager to see his situation unravel in the next few hours of the mercato. Relegated to the Championship with Leicester, the Nigerian midfielder intends to play in the Premier League this season. While the 26-year-old has already reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest, as revealed by journalist Fabrizio Romano, he is waiting for the two clubs to agree on a transfer fee before joining his new club.
