The Spanish heavyweights have turned their focus on Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui whose contract also expires in June.
The Moroccan has attracted plenty of attention from European clubs after refusing to sign a new deal with Ajax, where he found plenty of success. The 24-year-old has performed consistently at a high level and was part of that excellent team that made it to the semis in the Champions League under Erik Ten Hag in 2019.
According to Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf, the Blaugrana have emerged as the leaders of the race to sign the Moroccan footballer. Club president Joan Laporta and technical secretary Jordi Cruyff recently held a secret meeting with Mazraoui’s Mino Raiola, whose clientele also includes Borussia Dortmund star striker Erling Haaland who has launched a heavy bidding war across Europe with Barca, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all firmly interested.
In fact, the Catalans will hope that the ‘free’ signing of Mazraoui could also pave the way for Haaland, who is their top priority this summer. Barcelona are far from the only club interested in the Ajax defender, however. AC Milan had made an offer to him a few months ago, which was deemed too low, but the club have rejoined the race with a better offer.
Dortmund are also interested in signing Mazraoui while several Premier League clubs also have him on his radar. However, according to a few sources, Mazraoui is not interested in a move to England.
Mazraoui has made it clear that he won’t be staying at Ajax beyond this season:
“My future? That’s a good question man. I think the chances of me remaining at Ajax are very small, maybe 5%. I am open for something new – it’s a good moment to leave.”
If he signs with Barcelona, he will be reunited with his former Ajax teammates Frenkie de Jong and Sergino Dest, who had been Mazraoui’s understudy at the Dutch club.
Barcelona also brought in Dani Alves in the winter transfer window to consolidate that position. The 38-year-old’s contract only runs until the end of the season, and although he has performed at an extremely high level, the Brazialian is only a short-term bet on the right flank.
