On the final day of last season's La Liga campaign, Girona were officially relegated after four seasons in the Spanish top flight and less than two years after making their international debut in the Champions League 2024/25 campaign.Who would have imagined that their relegation from a month and a half ago would have an impact on Barcelona's transfer plans? Hardly anyone, yet that's the case.Spanish transfer war explodes! Atletico report Barca over Alvarez pursuitThe Catalans have a major problem in midfield following Frenkie De Jong's serious knee injury. Their academy graduate, Marc Casado, is edging closer to an exit after slipping down the pecking order. Therefore, an addition is necessary.Under different circumstances, Barca might have looked elsewhere, but Girona's struggles, as fate would have it, cleared their path to Azzedine Ounahi – one of La Liga's standout midfielders last season and a player who impressed at the 2026 World Cup.🚨#FCBarcelona Barcelona are closely assessing Azzedine Ounahi after his excellent season with Girona. 📌 The club value his La Liga experience, playmaking and versatility, though concerns remain about consistency. 🟢Real Betis are showing strong interest and preparing a… https://t.co/FOcTapG7Vx pic.twitter.com/wJ6bUBkHFg— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) August 3, 2026 According to Mundo Deportivo and El Chiringuito, the Catalans are hoping to land a quality player for a cut-price fee of around €10 million, thanks to Girona's woes.A problem could be the fact that Barca aren't alone in the race for the Moroccan, as Real Betis and Olympique Marseille have also sensed an opportunity, but Barcelona's pedigree works in their favour.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872939##Interestingly, the Camp Nou outfit was interested in Ounahi after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but it was all just talk, with no official offer made.Four years later, Barca could finally turn their words into action.
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