Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have intensified their scouting of Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza. The Algerian international is attracting significant Premier League interest after a breakout season in Germany.
Graeme Bailey noted that "Arsenal and Tottenham have stepped up their monitoring of Ibrahim Maza after watching the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder this season." Chelsea, Manchester City, and Aston Villa are also attentively tracking the player's progress. Maza joined Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin and his current contract runs until June 2030.
Maza made numerous appearances for Leverkusen in a campaign that saw him voted the club's men's Player of the Season. He also won the Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month award in November and April. His performances earned him a nomination for the Ballon d'Or men's young player award and he started all of Algeria's matches at the World Cup.
His versatility is a key asset, as he is capable of playing across the attacking midfield line and even as a false nine. This adaptability has made him particularly attractive to clubs like Arsenal, who value flexible attacking options. Maza's technical ability, vision, and composure in the final third have been highlighted as standout attributes during his rapid rise.
The Gunners' interest in versatile young attacking talent is ongoing as they look to strengthen their squad. Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, having won four of their last five matches. Their next fixture is at home to Leeds United.
Tottenham's scouting department has also been highly active, with reports suggesting they have dispatched multiple scouts to watch Maza in different competitive environments. The North London rivalry could extend to the transfer market for this promising talent.
While no formal approach has been confirmed, the increased scouting activity signals serious intent. The competition for Maza's signature is expected to be fierce, with his long-term contract giving Leverkusen a strong negotiating position. Leverkusen are under no financial pressure to sell and value the player highly as a key part of their future project. Any deal would likely require a substantial fee, reflecting his status, potential, and contract length. For more details on the current Arsenal squad, visit our squad section.
More detail at ESPN Soccer
