Panathinaikos close in on Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi

Azzedine Ounahi is edging closer to a move away from Spain after reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with Panathinaikos over a summer transfer.

The Morocco international, currently with Girona, is understood to be considering a new challenge in Greece as he looks to revive his career. The 24-year-old midfielder would join Panathinaikos in what is being described as an ambitious move for both player and club.

Panathinaikos have made a significant financial commitment in their attempt to secure Ounahi’s signature. The contract offer presented by the Athens-based club would reportedly make him the highest-paid player in their squad.

That proposal underlines the status Panathinaikos are prepared to give Ounahi and the importance they attach to his arrival. The club are expected to place him at the centre of their midfield plans, with the Morocco international being offered a leading role in the way the team plays.

Ounahi’s profile has been strengthened by his performances for Morocco, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. His international standing appears to have played a part in Panathinaikos’ decision to make such a substantial offer, as they seek to complete a deal for a player they view as capable of becoming a focal point of their side.

The timing of the proposed transfer is now increasingly important for both parties. Panathinaikos want to conclude the operation as quickly as possible so that Ounahi can be registered on their UEFA list before the relevant deadline.

That requirement is adding urgency to the negotiations. Although a verbal understanding is reportedly in place, the final administrative details still need to be completed before the move can be officially confirmed.

The formal announcement could therefore come soon, provided those remaining steps are settled. Panathinaikos are working to bring the process to a close, while Ounahi appears set to leave Spain and begin a new chapter in Greece.

For the player, the transfer would represent an opportunity to reset his career in a new league and under a club ready to make him one of its central figures. For Panathinaikos, the agreement would secure the services of a high-profile Morocco international and reinforce their squad with a midfielder who has already earned a prominent place on the international stage.

No official confirmation of the transfer has yet been given, but the verbal agreement and the scale of Panathinaikos’ contract offer suggest the deal is moving towards completion.