Arsenal and Tottenham have stepped up their monitoring of Ibrahim Maza after watching the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder this season, according to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey. The north London clubs are assessing his development and potential availability, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa also following him.
Maza’s rapid progress in Germany has given English clubs reason to look more closely, though Leverkusen has secured him on a long contract.
The Algeria international joined from Hertha Berlin in 2025, and his Leverkusen deal runs through June 2030. That leaves the Bundesliga club well placed to decide whether any future approach merits discussion.
Maza made an immediate impression in his first season. Supporters voted him Leverkusen’s men’s Player of the Season for 2025-26 with 39.1 percent of the vote, after a campaign in which he made 44 appearances. He also collected the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Month award in November and April.
His recognition has since extended beyond Germany. Leverkusen confirmed his nomination for the Ballon d’Or’s men’s young player award on September 8, placing him among 10 candidates. The club also noted that he started all four of Algeria’s matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Those experiences give prospective buyers evidence of how he handles different levels of competition. His ability to receive between the lines, turn and carry the ball forward is central to the profile outlined in Bailey’s report.
For Arsenal and Tottenham, an eventual pursuit would need a clear plan for his place in midfield. Regular involvement would matter for a young player already building substantial first-team experience, particularly if several clubs compete for his signature.
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