Arsenal and Manchester United are currently competing for Ibrahim Maza!

Press reports confirm interest from Arsenal and Manchester United in Algerian star Ibrahim Maza, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen; the 20-year-old is expected to leave the club next year.

Bayer Leverkusen has publicly stated its financial demands, making it clear that the club will not part with the Berlin-born Algerian star for anything less than €65–70 million.

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Ibrahim Maza is putting in a good performance with Bayer Leverkusen

The 2025/26 campaign proved to be a breakthrough period for the Algerian international, who racked up five goals and seven assists across 44 appearances. He has carried that momentum into the new season, delivering an even sharper start with one goal and two assists in just four matches. Such performances have not gone unnoticed, with a number of prominent clubs — especially from the Premier League — now casting an admiring eye toward Maza.

Given the impressive footballing profile of this Berlin-born young Algerian, it is clearly natural that he is attracting so much interest from major clubs in England and Europe.

Major clubs are competing

Arsenal did explore the possibility of bringing the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker on board during the summer window, though the move ultimately failed to take shape. Even so, the Gunners appear to have other concerns demanding their attention, given the options already at their disposal in midfield and their stated desire to strengthen on the left flank. Martin Odegaard may have enjoyed a outstanding opening month to the 2026/27 season, yet with Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino both capable of filling in, Arsenal's recruitment efforts seem better channelled in a different direction, meaning Maza is unlikely to be treated as an urgent target.

Over at Manchester City, the situation is rather different, as Ibrahim Maza has long featured among the club's preferred targets and was seriously weighed up during the most recent summer window. Nevertheless, uncertainty persists over where exactly he would fit into City's setup, with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden already jostling for the attacking midfield role. The arrival of Cherki from Lyon has only muddied the picture further, casting doubt over what kind of route Maza could expect to carve out for himself at the Etihad.

Hazem Mlhem |

Editorar, en

Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

Related teams and leagues

Algeria

Arsenal

Manchester United

English Premier League