Ounahi transfer twist as Saudi side Al Ittihad move to hijack Ajax deal

A dramatic late move by Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad has thrown the future of Morocco international Azzedine Ounahi into doubt, threatening to derail Ajax’s hopes of signing the Girona midfielder.

The Dutch giants had believed they were close to securing a deal for the 24-year-old, but Al Ittihad have now entered the race with a huge financial package that far outstrips anything Ajax can realistically offer.

Girona hold firm on €25m clause

Multiple Dutch reports say Girona have taken a hard line in negotiations, insisting they will only sell Ounahi if his €25m release clause is paid in full.

The La Liga club are said to have set that figure as a non-negotiable ceiling for any summer move, matching the exact value of the buy-out clause in the Atlas Lion’s contract.

This stance has created a significant stumbling block for Ajax, whose well-documented financial constraints have left them struggling to match Girona’s valuation. The Amsterdam club have reportedly been locked in difficult talks aimed at reducing the fee to a level compatible with their limited budget.

So far, however, Girona are showing no willingness to compromise, leaving Ajax in a precarious position as they try to rebuild their squad after a turbulent period on and off the pitch.

Al Ittihad’s financial power reshapes the deal

While Ajax search for a way to structure a deal, Al Ittihad’s intervention has radically altered the landscape.

The Jeddah club, one of the best-funded sides in the Saudi Pro League, are understood to be ready to meet Girona’s asking price and then go further by putting forward a highly lucrative personal offer to Ounahi.

Their proposal is believed to eclipse Ajax’s package both in terms of the transfer fee and the player’s annual salary, with Al Ittihad prepared to use their substantial financial muscle and high liquidity to seize the initiative in the negotiations.

The move is the latest example of Saudi clubs targeting established international players from European leagues with wages that are difficult for traditional clubs to match.

Ajax agreement under threat

Reports had previously suggested that Ounahi was close to finalising a move to Amsterdam.

Media coverage indicated that the midfielder had already reached an almost-complete preliminary agreement with Ajax to join the club this summer and work again under his former coach “Mitchell”, who knows him well and is said to have strong faith in his abilities.

That reunion, however, is now in jeopardy. The scale of the offer from Saudi Arabia is described as “tempting” and “generous”, and it may force Ounahi to reassess his plans at a crucial stage of his career.

Ajax’s sporting project and the presence of a familiar coach had positioned them as favourites for his signature, but the financial gap between their bid and Al Ittihad’s is substantial.

Player faces pivotal career choice

Ounahi, one of Morocco’s standout performers at the 2022 World Cup and a key figure in Europe since then, now faces a significant decision: pursue a move to a historic European club with a strong development track record, or accept a potentially transformative financial package in the Saudi Pro League.

With Girona standing firm on the €25m clause and Al Ittihad ready to pay, the Spanish club are in a strong negotiating position.

Ajax’s only realistic hope may be to convince Ounahi that his long-term sporting ambitions are better served in Amsterdam than in Jeddah – even if that means accepting a lower salary.

For now, the transfer saga remains finely balanced, but the late intervention from Saudi Arabia has ensured that what looked like a near-complete deal has become one of the more intriguing battles of the current transfer window.