Sometimes it feels as though players can’t wait to get away from Ajax, as if they see the Johan Cruyff Arena as nothing more than a stepping stone on a journey to somewhere bigger and supposedly better.
But, having spent the past 17 years honing his talent in Ajax’s feted finishing school, reported Leeds United and Arsenal target Noussair Mazraoui was never going to treat this grand old institution with anything less than maximum respect.
“Noussair has indicated often enough he wants to stay with Ajax,” head coach Erik ten Hag said today when asked about Mazraoui’s future (SportNieuws).
While Andre Onana has been subjected to unsavoury jeers from his own supporters after turning down a new contract – Gigi Donnarumma would no doubt sympathise – Mazraoui’s commitment to the cause has made an already popular member of Ten Hag’s squad all the more likeable as far as the Ajax faithful are concerned.
“We are busy negotiating. That is really going on right now,” Mazraoui told AD last week.
The 24-year-old Morocco international is out of contract in the summer but it’s expected a new deal will be agreed before long.
Mazraoui looks likely to turn down Leeds and Arsenal to stay at Ajax
According to ESPN, the potential availability of Mazraoui has alerted a pair of Premier League clubs – Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
But while the 23-year-old is highly unlikely to spend the whole of his career among the canals and cobbles of Amsterdam, an imminent departure isn’t in his plans either.
“We have to see what happens. The longer it takes (to agree a new deal), the more difficult it becomes,” Mazraoui adds.
“I have been with Ajax for 17 years so you understand the feeling – I want to take the next step. It shouldn’t be this season, but it shouldn’t take two years either.
“I’m open to a new contract, I also said that to Marc (Overmars, sporting director). I am honest about that.”
Mazraoui, then, isn’t going anywhere in 2022 – 2023, however, may be a different story.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
