At a glance:
- Tottenham and Arsenal want Ibrahim Maza
- Algerian likened to Florian Wirtz
- £57m price tag mooted
The summer transfer window saw Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head for a deal to sign Eberechi Eze.
He was at Crystal Palace at the time and initially agreed to join the Lilywhites.
However, in a move that caused quite the stir in the London divide, Eze decided to join Arsenal after a late hijack from Mikel Arteta’s side.
The England international rubbed salt into Tottenham’s wounds by scoring home and away against them this season.
And it appears as if another transfer battle could be on the cards between the two sides this summer.
Ibrahim Maza on Arsenal and Tottenham’s radar
In the summer transfer window, Bayer Leverkusen sold Florian Wirtz to Liverpool, who became the most expensive player in Premier League history at the time.
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Shortly afterwards, Ibrahim Maza was drafted in as his replacement. The Algerian playmaker is an exciting talent and has shown flashes of brilliance at the BayArena this season.
According to Fussball Daten, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are interested in signing the 20-year-old, who is expected to cost at least £57m.
When asked about comparisons with his predecessor, Wirtz, Maza was quick to downplay those claims.
“I don’t like being compared like that,” said Maza via Kicker.
“Flo is obviously an incredible player – I hope I can say, Flo.
“He became the most expensive signing in the Premier League, and I hope I can be at his level someday. I’m not there yet, but hopefully in the future.”
Tottenham need a playmaker
With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison not featuring at all this season, Tottenham have struggled for creativity from midfield.
Xavi Simons has shown flashes of brilliance but is still finding his feet in English football, so Maza’s potential arrival could be welcome news for Tottenham.
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Bayer Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand described the 20-year-old as an ‘outstanding’ talent as he continues to make a name for himself in Germany.
“He still has a lot to learn, but his development is outstanding,” Hjulmand said via One Football.
“His personality is that he always wants to learn and improve. It’s fabulous for Leverkusen that he’s representing this club.“
However, Maza has scored just three Bundesliga goals this season, which is a clear sign that he is very much a work in progress.
So if Tottenham are looking for a finished article who can walk straight into the team and make an impact, they may have to think twice before pressing ahead with a move for him despite his obvious talent.
