Barcelona are 'monitoring' Morocco star Azzedine Ounahi ahead of January window

Barcelona are monitoring Morocco and Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, according to reports in Spain.

The North African side have been the surprise package in this year's tournament, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Ounahi has been a revelation and a bright spark for Morocco in midfield, with impressive performances against Spain and Portugal in the knockouts.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are monitoring Ounahi with a view to making a move for him in the January transfer window.

As the Catalan club's financial woes continue, they're now seeking 'low cost profiles' in an attempt to strengthen their midfield.

Ounahi currently plays for Angers, who currently sit bottom in Ligue 1 and his value is believed to be £4million, though that is now expected to be higher after his displays at the World Cup.

The 22-year-old shone for the French side last season and earned his first cap for the national team in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

As reported by Sky Sports, a number of Spanish teams, including Sevilla, were interested in Ounahi this summer before he opted to sign a new four-year deal with Angers.

Luis Enrique, Spain's manager at this year's World Cup, heaped praise on the youngster following his side's loss to Morocco.

'Madre mía, where did this kid come from? He can really play. He surprised me. He didn't stop running. He must be exhausted,' Enrique said.

Morocco will seek to create more history and book a place in the final when they face France on Wednesday night.

Speaking after the win over Portugal, manager Walid Regragui said: 'What's important for future generations is we've shown that it is possible for an African team to get to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Or even the final, why not?

'In one press conference three or four matches ago, I was asked we could win the World Cup. And I said, 'Why not?' We can dream. Why shouldn't we dream? If you don't dream, you don't get anywhere. It doesn't cost you anything.

'European countries are used to winning the World Cup, so we're going to have to try and get in there, and go beyond ourselves.'