Arsenal are reportedly interested in making a swoop for AFC Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui, who will be out of contract at the end of the season.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Premier League bigwigs Arsenal are keeping their sights on AFC Ajax’s Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui over a summer move.
Mazraoui started out at the Alphense academy before making the switch to Ajax’s youth setup in 2006. The defender made his first-team debut for the Dutch giants in 2018 and has since been a regular in the side for the most part, making 113 appearances so far, scoring nine goals and setting up eight more.
Mazraoui has started the new season on a strong note as well, bagging four goals and three assists from 11 games across all competitions. However, the 23-year-old’s future has become a subject of intense transfer speculation as his contract with Ajax is set to run out at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Barcelona have been linked with a move for the 12-time capped Moroccan international and now Arsenal have also entered the fray for his signing. The Gunners strengthened their right-back position with the late addition of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, but Hector Bellerin left the club to sign for Real Betis on loan.
However, he does not seem to have a long-term future at the Emirates Stadium while Cedric Soares has not exactly set the stage on fire since joining the club from Southampton. With Ainsley Maitland-Niles being used in his preferred midfield role and Calum Chambers’ uncertain future, adding another right-back in the summer would be a good move for Arsenal.
Mazraoui, to that end, can be a handy addition for the north London giants. At 23, he has his entire career ahead of him and has gained plenty of expression at the highest level. Furthermore, considering that his deal with Ajax runs out in the summer, he will not cost Arsenal a penny in transfer fees, making him an enticing prospect for the club.
Mazraoui also happens to fit in well with the age profile of players that Mikel Arteta is looking to recruit as he looks to build a youthful team at the Emirates. It now remains to be seen if Arsenal are able to snare the 23-year-old away from Ajax on a free transfer.