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Champions LeagueAugust 3, 2026

FC Barcelona is thinking about Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for the injured one

Frenkie de Jong's injury has forced Barcelona to rethink their transfer plans. The club is considering signing Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for de Jong.

FC Barcelona is thinking about Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for the injured one

FC Barcelona is considering Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for the injured

According to Sports.

Background

Frenkie de Jong, a key player for FC Barcelona, is expected to be out for several months, forcing the club to look for alternatives. Azzedine Ounahi, available following Girona's relegation from La Liga, is seen as a potential replacement. Ounahi proved to be a talented midfielder last season, but could play differently stylistically than de Jong.

Why this is important

Frenkie de Jong's injury is a major setback for FC Barcelona as he plays a key role in the team's midfield. His absence could affect the club's La Liga ambitions, especially given the competition in the league. Finding a replacement like Azzedine Ounahi shows how important it is for Barcelona to maintain squad depth while also meeting financial constraints.

Key findings

  • FC Barcelona is considering Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for the injured one.
  • Frenkie de Jong's injury has forced Barcelona to rethink their transfer plans.
  • Barcelona’s midfield target available for just €10 million this summer – report.
Image Frenkie de Jong's injury has forced FC Barcelona to rethink their summer transfer plans. The club is considering signing a possible replacement for the Dutch midfielder. De Jong is expected to be out for four to five months as he sustained an injury to his medial ligament and requires conservative treatment. According to Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona have considered Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi as a possible replacement since FC Girona were relegated from La Liga this season. Ounahi is considered an affordable option for FC Barcelona's midfield. The 26-year-old should be available in the summer for around 10 million euros. The combination of Frenkie de Jong's injury and Marc Casado's departure has led FC Barcelona to look for alternatives like Ounahi. Unlike some of the club's more ambitious targets, Ounahi would be a comparatively cheap signing at a time when FC Barcelona must continue to operate within Financial Fair Play guidelines. However, Ounahi could not necessarily replace the play of de Jong or Casado. Undoubtedly, Ounahi is an excellent midfielder with immense potential, but his main position is that of attacking midfielder. The 26-year-old can also be used in a deeper position in midfield, similar to Olmo under Flick However, he cannot replace the defensive qualities of de Jong or Casado. Even if Ounahi can be had for €10 million, that's still a significant sum for FC Barcelona in a position that doesn't necessarily need to be strengthened. The smarter solution for FC Barcelona would be to promote from their own youth. The club's youth academy, La Masia, has produced a host of midfielders in recent years and the current situation offers the club the opportunity to do so again. Players such as Tommy Marques, Xavi Espart and Brian Farinas have all hinted at being considered for a deeper midfield role. Flick could promote one of these players to the first team. Signing Ounahi, on the other hand, would only block the progress of a talented player like Ebrima Tunkara, who is also deployed as an attacking midfielder. Even if the price is excellent for a player of Ounahi's quality, FC Barcelona should not push for a transfer this summer.

What happens next

FC Barcelona are expected to continue to explore options for a replacement in midfield as they await the recovery of Frenkie de Jong. Azzedine Ounahi could represent a cost-effective solution, especially after Girona's relegation from La Liga. The decision to sign Ounahi could also depend on the assessment of whether he has the skills needed to fill the gap left by de Jong.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Frenkie de Jong?

Frenkie de Jong has suffered an injury to his medial ligament and is expected to be out for four to five months.

Who confirmed the possibility of Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement?

FC Barcelona have considered Azzedine Ounahi as a possible replacement for Frenkie de Jong, based on information from Mundo Deportivo.

Why is FC Barcelona now thinking about a replacement?

FC Barcelona has to rethink its transfer plans due to Frenkie de Jong's injury and Marc Casado's departure.

What changes is FC Barcelona planning to make to the squad?

FC Barcelona are considering signing Azzedine Ounahi to fill the gap in midfield.

What makes Azzedine Ounahi an attractive option for Barcelona?

Ounahi is considered an affordable midfield option as he is expected to be available for around €10 million.

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

What happened to Frenkie de Jong?
Frenkie de Jong has suffered a medial ligament injury and is expected to be out for four to five months.
Who confirmed the possibility of Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement?
FC Barcelona have considered Azzedine Ounahi as a possible replacement for Frenkie de Jong, based on information from Mundo Deportivo.
Why is FC Barcelona now considering a replacement?
FC Barcelona have to rethink their transfer plans due to Frenkie de Jong's injury and Marc Casado's departure.
What changes does FC Barcelona plan to make to the squad?
FC Barcelona are considering signing Azzedine Ounahi to fill the gap in midfield.
What makes Azzedine Ounahi an attractive option for Barcelona?
Ounahi is considered an affordable midfield option as he is expected to be available for around €10 million.
What happened in this story?
FC Barcelona considers Azzedine Ounahi as a replacement for the injured summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.