Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the possibility of snapping up 23-year-old Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui on a Bosman move next summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona are scouring the transfer market for a right-back ahead of next summer’s transfer window amid uncertainty surrounding Sergi Roberto’s future. To that end, the Catalan giants have identified Noussair Mazraoui as one of the options to bolster the position.
Noussair Mazraoui joined Ajax as a nine-year-old back in 2006 before progressing through the ranks at the Dutch club. The Moroccan right-back made his first-team debut two years later and has since grown in stature at the Dutch club.
Now the first-choice right-back for Ajax, Mazraoui has started the 2021/22 season on a strong note, with four goals and three assists in 10 appearances so far. The 23-year-old, though, is in the final year of his deal with Ajax, putting the club in a spot of bother over his long-term future. Such a situation has piqued the interest of Barcelona.
Barcelona are themselves in a precarious position over the future of a right-back, with Sergi Roberto into the final 12 months of his current contract. The Spanish international has, as a result, been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, and his departure would force Barcelona to enter the market for a right-back.
That is because Oscar Mingueza is also being linked with a potential departure from Camp Nou, which will leave Sergino Dest as the only right-back at Ronald Koeman’s disposal. With that in mind, it is understandable why Barcelona are now scouring the market for a right-back.
To that end, Mazraoui is a viable target for the Blaugrana, who also have Dodo and Mateu Morey on their radar over a potential move next summer. And the 23-year-old could be the most attractive option of the three as he will join Barcelona on a free transfer if he runs down his deal with Ajax.
What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona do end up entering the transfer market for a right-back next summer, if Roberto chooses to not pen a renewal. And in such a scenario it will also be interesting to see if Mazraoui is the chosen candidate to replace the Spanish international.
