Premier League giants Arsenal are interested in signing Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui with the Eredivisie champion available for a half-price fee of just £9 million, as reported by Estadio Deportivo.
Now, there are two main reasons why this 12-cap Morocco international may be available for a much lower price when the transfer window opens.
On one hand, Mazraoui is out of contract in 2022.
Ajax, a club whose entire transfer strategy is built around selling players on for profit, would obviously prefer to lose the 23-year-old for £9 million this summer than for nothing in 12 months’ time.
Arsenal eye Ajax right-back Mazraoui
On the other hand, there’s a nagging feeling Mazraoui’s development has stalled in the Dutch capital.
He was first-choice right-back as Ajax stormed to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 but, after struggling to build on his breakthrough season, Mazraoui is no longer guaranteed a place in Erik ten Hag’s XI.
Mazraoui started just 16 games as the Amsterdam giants claimed another Eredivisie crown this season, although a handful of niggling injury problems certainly played a part.
Estadio Deportivo claims that, despite a testing 2020/21 campaign, the Netherlands-born defender is still an option for not only Arsenal but also Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
If the Emirates is his destination, Mazraoui will be expected to replace Real Betis target Hector Bellerin in Mikel Arteta’s side.
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