Leeds United could have 'unfinished business' in their pursuit of Azzedine Ounahi and the Angers star may still head to Elland Road as there is an 'open race' for his signature, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has told GiveMeSport.

Having broken a club-record transfer fee by forking out up to £36million for Georginio Rutter, Whites head coach Jesse Marsch has set his sights on welcoming further reinforcements to Yorkshire.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

Leeds transfer news - Azzedine Ounahi

According to 90min, Leeds have increased their opening Ounahi offer to £22million as they are keen to fight off stiff competition for his signature.

But the report suggests the Whites are still some way off completing a deal as their proposal falls short of Angers' asking price, which is close to £27million, while Napoli and Leicester City have also tabled bids.

Leeds are understood to be seriously keen on Ounahi and are genuinely considering upping the ante as they look to reach an agreement ahead of the fast-approaching deadline.

Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed a deal for the Morocco international is not dead in the water despite the Whites splashing the cash on Rutter just a matter of days ago.

Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Ounahi will be spoken about behind the scenes at numerous clubs after impressing at the World Cup.

What has Ryan Taylor said about Ounahi?

Taylor believes Leeds' interest in Ounahi is refusing to go away after they were frustrated with their opening proposal.

The journalist understands Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs vying with the Whites for the central midfielder's services.

Taylor told GiveMeSport: "There is a case, with Ounahi, that there could be unfinished business there after the first offer.

"I know Napoli are very keen and there was some suggestion that PSG were actually closing in on the player, but that never seemed to happen, so it looks like an open race at the moment."

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Would Ounahi be a good signing for Leeds?

Ounahi put himself firmly in the shop window during the World Cup, where he was described as a 'superstar' by The Guardian journalist Ed Aarons.

The Moroccan started six fixtures as his homeland made it to the semi-finals of the competition before being knocked out by eventual runners-up France.

Ounahi made Walid Regragui's side difficult to break down in Qatar, with Sofascore statistics showing he averaged 1.3 tackles and one interception per outing.

He has also been a key cog in French outfit Angers' midfield, making 15 appearances this season, so it is clear that he is vital at club level as well as on the international scene.

Although Ounahi's current employers are in a strong negotiating position due to his contract still having three-and-a-half years to run, Leeds should still do all they can to persuade them into agreeing terms.

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