Manchester City are among a group of Premier League clubs monitoring Bayer Leverkusen's Algerian international Ibrahim Maza, according to reports from TEAMtalk. The Premier League champions, alongside Chelsea and Aston Villa, are understood to be keeping a close watch on the 20-year-old's rapid development in the Bundesliga.
Maza has emerged as one of Germany's most exciting young talents since his move from Hertha Berlin to Leverkusen last season. His performances this campaign have attracted significant attention, with sources indicating City see him as a potential long-term midfield option. Chelsea's well-documented strategy of recruiting elite young talent aligns with Maza's profile, while Aston Villa are also assessing potential attacking reinforcements.
The player's versatility is cited as a key factor behind the growing interest. Ibrahim Maza is capable of operating as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and in wider roles, offering the tactical flexibility that modern top clubs covet. This season, he has made 41 appearances across all competitions, contributing five goals and six assists. In the Bundesliga alone, he has registered three goals and four assists, influencing games with his energy and technical quality.
Analytical data is also believed to play a part in the interest, with Maza reportedly posting strong underlying metrics in areas such as expected goals and expected assists. This analytical approach is heavily relied upon by many Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, in their recruitment processes. Despite the external interest, Leverkusen are said to view Maza as a central part of their long-term project, which could set the stage for a test of their resolve in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Further reports suggest City's interest may extend beyond Maza. The same sources indicate the Premier League giants are also admirers of Maza's 19-year-old Leverkusen teammate, striker Christian Kofane, who has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool as well. This raises the possibility of a double raid on the Bundesliga side, although no formal offers are reported to have been made for either player at this stage.
The broader context of the interest sees Chelsea continuing their focus on emerging stars, while Aston Villa's monitoring is part of their ambition to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts following their return to European competition. Brighton, Brentford, and Bournemouth have also been credited with taking a look at Maza in recent weeks, highlighting the wide appreciation for his talents within the English top flight.
For Manchester City, any potential move would align with their strategy of identifying and securing versatile, high-potential players who can develop within Pep Guardiola's system. The potential acquisition of a player like Maza would provide depth and a long-term view for a midfield that, while currently well-stocked, is always planning for future cycles. The coming months will determine whether the watching brief turns into concrete action.
