Barcelona will reportedly face stiff competition from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui.
According to a report by German outlet Sport1, Noussair Mazraoui is the subject of interest from Borussia Dortmund over a Bosman move in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old right-back is also a target for Barcelona, and he will likely leave Ajax as a free agent.
Noussair Mazraoui joined Ajax when he signed up for their famed academy as a nine-year-old in July 2006. Since then, the Moroccan defender has come leaps and bounds, establishing himself as a key figure for club and country.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, amassing five goals and three assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. But Mazraoui seems set to leave Ajax as a free agent in the summer transfer window after recently suggesting he wants to embark on a new adventure. Such a development has captured the attention of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.
Barcelona signed a right-back this past winter by re-signing Dani Alves. But the veteran Brazilian international will only be a short-term solution in defence for the Blaugrana, considering he will turn 40 next year. And with Sergino Dest facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou, Barcelona will need to enter the market for a right-back in the summer.
To that end, Marzaoui has emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with recent reports claiming that he is keen on joining the Catalan giants. But Barcelona will need to fend off stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund to win the race to snap up the 24-year-old right-back.
Interestingly, Borussia Dortmund right-back Thomas Meunier was recently linked with Barcelona. And if the La Liga heavyweights step up their pursuit of the Belgian international, the Bundesliga giants might need to find a replacement, making Mazraoui an option worth considering.
So after reaching an agreement to sign Niklas Sule, the Black and Yellows have turned their attention towards Mazraoui, with talks progressing well between the two parties. According to the report, the Bundesliga giants are currently ahead of Barcelona in the race to sign Mazraoui, and it will be interesting to see if the Blaugrana can find a way back in the chase.