Premier League sides Arsenal and Leeds United are ready to battle it out with Barcelona for the signing of Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui.
As per reports in Calciomercato, Noussair Mazraoui is attracting interest from all around Europe, with Italian, Spanish and English clubs courting him for the summer. Barcelona, Arsenal, Leeds and AC Milan are all chasing the Moroccan defender’s signature.
Mazraoui is an Ajax youth product and has been with the club since 2006. He was promoted to the Dutch giants’ senior side in 2018 and has since made 130 appearances for them, scoring ten and assisting nine goals. The Moroccan was handed regular first-team action in his first full season with the club, making 28 league appearances.
Fitness issues and recurring injuries severely affected his 2019/20 season as he made just 13 league appearances for Ajax. An eye injury the following season forced him to miss several games, but he still made 26 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring and assisting once each.
The ongoing season has brought out the best of Mazraoui, who is an integral part of Erik ten Hag’s side. The right-back has scored five times and assisted four goals in 28 matches in all competitions for the club. His commendable performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with several European giants lining up for his signature.
Barcelona are looking for a long-term solution to their right-back issues. They have identified the Moroccan as a potential solution. The 24-year-old fits the bill perfectly given that he is an assured passer of the ball and is adept at both going forward and defending deep.
Arsenal have shown an interest in the Ajax star as well, as they look for a more attack-minded right-back to compete with Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has had a solid debut season in England so far.
Leeds, too, are keen on signing the 24-year-old Moroccan international. The Whites do not have natural cover for Luke Ayling in the right-back slot. But if Arsenal and Barcelona take up the Ajax defender’s pursuit seriously, Leeds could find it difficult to convince the player to join them over these two clubs.
With AC Milan also interested, it remains to be seen whether the Moroccan heads to Spain, Italy or England in the upcoming summer transfer window.
