Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly preparing another attempt to sign Girona winger Azzedine Ounahi, with the Premier League club said to be serious about securing his services despite expected competition from Atlético Madrid. Interest from Brighton is not new, as the club have monitored the Moroccan international closely for several years and have made previous efforts to bring him to England.
Their admiration for Ounahi dates back to at least January 2023, when they first tried to sign him. Brighton also revisited the possibility of a transfer last summer. Reports in June 2025 even suggested that the Seagulls had reached a verbal agreement with the player, raising hopes that a move was close. However, the transfer ultimately collapsed, and Ounahi instead completed a permanent switch to Girona late in the summer window.
Since arriving in Spain, the 25-year-old has made a strong impression during his first season in La Liga. He has contributed four goals and three assists, underlining his attacking quality and ability to influence matches from wide areas. Across 17 league appearances, including 13 starts, he has played 1,187 minutes, averaging 79 minutes per game. His underlying numbers are also encouraging, with 1.90 expected goals, 2.27 expected assists, seven big chances created, and an average of 1.4 key passes per match.
Those performances have reportedly reignited Brighton’s desire to sign him. According to recent claims, Fabian Hürzeler’s side have continued scouting Ounahi regularly while he has been at Girona. Brighton are believed to feel that his technical ability, creativity, and style of play would translate well both to their tactical setup and to the demands of English football.
As a result, the club are said to be determined to make a formal move in the coming weeks. Ounahi’s current contract with Girona runs until 2030 and includes a €20 million release clause. Given his age, experience, and evident quality, that fee is considered manageable for Brighton.
However, Brighton may not have a clear run at the player. Atlético Madrid are also reported to be closely following Ounahi’s progress and could emerge as serious rivals in the race for his signature. The player previously turned down a move to RB Leipzig during the January transfer window, suggesting he is selective about his next step.
Brighton may therefore look to act quickly in order to gain an advantage over Atlético Madrid before the Spanish giants make their own move.
Meanwhile, Girona are understandably reluctant to lose an important member of their squad. The Catalan club are reportedly eager to offer Ounahi a new contract with improved terms, hoping to secure his future and prevent him from leaving for what they may view as a relatively modest release fee.
From Brighton’s perspective, caution may be necessary. With Ounahi having already rejected one major move and his summer intentions still unclear, there is a possibility that interest from Brighton could be used strategically by the player’s representatives. It may serve to encourage Atlético Madrid to accelerate their pursuit or help Ounahi negotiate a stronger contract with Girona.
If that proves to be the case, Brighton could once again be left frustrated after failing to complete a deal for him last summer.
