Newcastle United are reportedly in the pole position to sign 18-year-old German-born Algerian international Ibrahim Maza, a target for West Ham United.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Ibrahim Maza is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Hertha BSC attacking prodigy is also a target for West Ham United and several other well-known clubs. However, the Magpies lead the race to secure the services of the 18-year-old wonderkid.
Who is Ibrahim Maza?
Ibrahim Maza is one of the brightest young prospects in Germany. A native of Berlin, he has spent his formative years thus far in Germany, starting his youth career at Reinickendorfer Fuchse before joining Hertha BSC in 2016. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength at the 2. Bundesliga club.
The 18-year-old broke into the first-team squad at Hertha BSC towards the end of the 2022/23 season, making his senior bow in April 2023. Since then, Maza has become a regular for the Old Lady, and he has amassed over 1,000 minutes of game time across 13 appearances in all competitions while chipping in with four goals and two assists.
Maza represented Germany in age-group football but has picked Algeria as his national side to secure a quicker pathway to a senior international career. Meanwhile, the young attacker’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Newcastle United and West Ham United.
Premier League move on the horizon?
West Ham United mulled over signing Ibrahim Maza from Hertha BSC in the summer transfer window before the move failed to see the light of day. The continued interest in the teenage prospect is understandable, considering he can be the long-term replacement for Lucas Paqueta if the Brazilian international faces sanctions for his betting scandal.
As for Newcastle United, the Tyneside outfit will look to bolster the offensive department with a versatile attacker amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson. The latest report has claimed that the Magpies are the front-runners to sign the 18-year-old wonderkid from Hertha BSC.
However, Newcastle United will face stiff competition from Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and Brentford for Maza. Meanwhile, the German-born Algerian international will not cost a bomb, with Hertha valuing him at around €20 million. They might even entertain bids worth around €13 million.
