A host of Premier League clubs are reportedly keeping a close watch on the situation of Noussair Mazraoui at Bayern Munich.
Noussair Mazraoui, 25, joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer from Ajax last summer. He was viewed as a massive coup for Bayern Munich due to his eye-catching performances for Ajax during his five-year stay at the Eredivisie club. However, the Moroccan international has struggled for game time at Bayern. The full-back has been restricted to just 20 appearances in all formats, with just 10 starts under his banner so far.
Mazraoui has managed just one minute under new manager Thomas Tuchel and is yet to start a Bundesliga game for Bayern since November 8, 2022, where he bagged two assists in a big 6-1 win over Werder Bremen. The full-back is unhappy with his situation and could leave the Bavarian giants in the summer if things don’t change.
On that note, let us take a look at the three ideal destinations for Mazraoui should he decide to leave Bayern at the end of the season.
#Manchester United
Bayern Munich outcast Noussair Mazraoui might just have put Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on red alert with his recent comments. Ten Hag knows about the full-back very well, having managed him exceptionally well during his Ajax days before joining Man United.
The Man United boss is in search of a new right-back to potentially replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who despite his good form post the 2022 World Cup doesn’t provide a lot going forward. Mazraoui would be an instant upgrade on Wan-Bissaka in terms of energy, tactical intelligence and attacking output. That coupled with the good relationship he shared with Ten Hag at Ajax, Man United could be an ideal destination for the Moroccan to revive his career.
#Arsenal
Arsenal could be in the market for a right-back in order to cover and compete for Ben White next season. White, who is a centre-back by trade, has impressed at right-back and helped Arsenal enjoy a solid defensive record in the division.
However, White has rarely got a break in a gruelling campaign, with Takehiro Tomiyasu enduring injury problems and Cedric Soares joining Fulham on loan in January. This is where Noussair Mazraoui’s signing would make sense for Arsenal. With his technical skills, energy and dynamism, the Moroccan should slot well into Mikel Arteta’s 4-2-3-1 in a possession-based system on either side of the pitch.
Thus, adding an experienced player like Mazraoui will give the Gunners some much-needed depth at the right-back department next season.
#Barcelona
Noussair Mazraoui was close to joining Barcelona on loan in the January transfer window but a move didn’t materialise. Now it has become apparent Mazraoui would be willing to change scenery at the end of the season due to limited game time at Bayern, Barcelona must revive their interest in him.
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has used Jules Kounde at right-back this season, and while the Frenchman has performed well, another right-back in the form of Mazraoui would be great. He can fit in well at Barcelona, and if Bayern asks for a lot of money as the full-back has a contract until 2026, Xavi and the Spanish club must opt for a low-cost loan.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
