Frenkie de Jong would be thrilled to see former Leeds United and Arsenal target Noussair Mazraoui join him at La Liga giants Barcelona in the summer, speaking to Voetbal Primeur.
It’s shaping up to the summer of the bargain buy.
And, with Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, Paulo Dybala and more set to become free-agents, it’s understandable if a Moroccan full-back ends up flying under the radar somewhat. Not that Mazraoui’s availability has gone unnoticed amongst European scouting circles.
ESPN claim that Premier League rivals Arsenal and Leeds are keeping tabs on the 24-year-old Ajax academy graduate. AC Milan, meanwhile, have offered Mazraoui a £50,000-a-week deal at the San Siro.
As it stands, however, Barcelona are the most likely destination, especially with Sergi Roberto, Sergino Dest and 38-year-old Dani Alves facing uncertain futures under Xavi Hernandez.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barca recently launched a proposal for one of the most creative right-sided defenders in the game.
Is Noussair Mazraoui leaving Ajax for Barcelona?
“Mazraoui has a lot of quality,” says De Jong, who shone alongside the Ajax flyer en route to the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
“I can’t say anything about whether he will come (to Barcelona) or not. But he is a great player.
“I think it’s always a good time to come to Barca. It is one of the biggest clubs in the world and you can achieve a lot here. Normally we fight for all the titles and I am sure that we will participate again next year.”
Mazraoui has scored five goals and provided four assists this season, including a 25-yard winner against title rivals PSV Eindhoven. He is just one of a number of talented right-backs on Arsenal’s summer wishlist, with Djed Spence, Isaiah Jones and Peru international Jhilmar Lora.
Hector Bellerin is expected to leave the Emirates on a full-time basis in the summer. Cedric Soares could also go after falling behind Takehiro Tomiyasu in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
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