The transfer price and the duration of the 22-year-old international's contract have not been revealed by the two Ligue 1 clubs, but the transaction would be for ten million euros, according to several media.

An elegant midfielder with a technique well above average, Ounahi, an excellent dribbler, was about to start from the Qatar course of the Atlas Lions, the first African team to reach the last four of a FIFA Cup. world.

He started in all the matches played by his team, except during the match for third place, lost by Morocco against Croatia (2-1).

Moroccans Azzedine Ounahi (g) and Sofiane Boufal, on their return to Angers after the World Cup in Qatar, January 1, 2023 © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP/Archives

“My God, where does this boy come from!” exclaimed the Spanish coach Luis Enrique, impressed, after the elimination of La Roja in the round of 16 against the Moroccans.

Born in Casablanca and trained in Morocco, notably at the Mohamed VI academy, Ounahi joined France and the Strasbourg club at the age of 18.

In failure in Alsace, he rebounded in National (third division), in Avranches.

He then joined Angers and Ligue 1 in 2021. With SCO, he played 48 matches, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

After his remarkable World Cup, Ounahi would have, according to various media, been approached by clubs like Naples, Seville or Leicester, before finally choosing Marseille.

Since the World Cup, he has only played half an hour, on January 15 against Clermont in the league.

Ounahi is OM's second recruit during this winter transfer window, after Ukrainian attacking midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi.

His arrival probably marks the end of the trail that led to the Serbian Ivan Ilic, player of the Italian club Hellas Verona.

OM, on the other hand, are still looking for an attacking element, who should be a center forward, especially if Bamba Dieng signs with Lorient, a transfer announced as imminent by several media.

© 2023 AFP