Marseille failed in Houssem Aouar swoop | OneFootball

Houssem Aouar (26) is having a strong debut campaign in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, however, according to L’Équipe, his season could have panned out very differently.

The Algeria international made the move to the Gulf state from AS Roma in the summer for a fee of around €12m. He quickly found his feet and to date, he has 10 goals in 22 appearances in the Saudi Pro League, as well as four assists. Al-Ittihad showed a strong desire to bring the Algeria international to the club, whilst Karim Benzema was also seductive in luring the playmaker to the Middle East.

Like Aouar, Benzema came through the ranks at Olympique Lyonnais. The former, however, could have easily made a return to France in the summer, as per L’Équipe. And not to join just any club, but arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille.

A member of the former OL midfielder’s entourage told L’Équipe: “We learned that OM were interested in Houssem and that the club had contacted Roma, but the transfer to Al-Ittihad was already well advanced.” What could have been.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle