“My goodness” – PSG manager Luis Enrique said £22m Leeds target is “spectacular”

Leeds United are now eyeing a summer move for a relegated midfielder, who has been lauded by none other than Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.

Daniel Farke confirms Leeds have started making plans for next season

Although Leeds’ eight-game unbeaten run was brought to an end on Sunday afternoon, losing 3-0 against West Ham United at the London Stadium, they had already long since secured safety, and the first season back in the Premier League can only be viewed as a resounding success.

Indeed, Daniel Farke achieved his goal of avoiding relegation, and the manager has since revealed he has already started work ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, saying: “We have started to speak about the future and of course this will continue in the upcoming weeks. It is important to take some time to recharge.

“Since survival was confirmed, we have already started to work.”

Farke will want to make sure his side aren’t in West Ham’s position next season, with Nuno’s side being relegated to the Championship on Sunday, despite racking up a big win, and central midfield is one of the areas in which the 49ers have set out to strengthen.

With Southampton being denied the opportunity to compete in the play-off final against Hull City due to the Spygate scandal, Shea Charles has now emerged as a target for the Whites, alongside a La Liga midfielder.

Leeds keen on signing “spectacular” midfielder

According to a report from MOT Leeds News, Leeds have now expressed an interest in signing Azzedine Ounahi, following Girona’s relegation from La Liga, and the 26-year-old could be brought in as a replacement for Ao Tanaka.

Manchester United are keen on signing the Japan international, and should the Red Devils get a deal done, Farke will need to sign a new midfielder, with Ounahi, who has been valued at £22m, now emerging as an option.

It is ‘likely’ the Moroccan will leave the Spanish side this summer, and he could be an exciting addition to Farke’s squad, having received major plaudits from PSG boss Enrique as a result of his performances for the African nation at the 2022 World Cup.

The former Spain manager said: “I was pleasantly surprised by number 8 (Ounahi). My goodness. Where did this kid come from? He plays incredibly well. Achraf and Ziyech are obvious choices, we know En-Nesyri well, and Amrabat too.

“But this guy never stopped running. We’ve discussed it with the coaching staff. He was spectacular.”

Despite Girona suffering relegation from La Liga, the central midfielder impressed on a personal level, with an average FotMob match rating of 7.28 ranking him first in the squad, and he vastly outperformed Tanaka across some key attacking metrics.

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