Ibrahim Maza returns to the radar of Atlético Madrid

The Atlético de Madrid transfer market is once again looking towards Ibrahim Maza, a 20-year-old midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen. The red and white club has rekindled its interest in the Algerian international, also being followed by Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal, while the German club is preparing an improved contract to try to secure his continuity, as confirmed by Ekrem Konur.

The situation has an important condition: Ibrahim Maza already has a contract until June 30, 2030. Leverkusen signed him from Hertha Berlin in the summer of 2025 and now aims to enhance the conditions of that agreement due to the number of clubs monitoring his future.

Ibrahim Maza back on Atlético de Madrid's agenda

Atlético de Madrid is among the teams intensifying monitoring of Maza. The latest information from Germany also includes Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal, three Premier League clubs closely following the midfielder's progress.

The competition aligns with Ibrahim Maza's growth within Bayer Leverkusen. The player was voted by the club's fans as the best player of the 2025/26 season, receiving 39.1% of the votes in the survey conducted by the German club.

His first season at Leverkusen concluded with 44 official matches. The club itself recorded 12 direct goal involvements during that season, while Maza also received two Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards in November 2025 and April 2026.

The start of the 2026/27 season sees the Algerian remaining in the starting eleven. In the first three Bundesliga matchdays, he played the 270 possible minutes, contributing one goal and one assist. He also scored in the 4-0 victory against Union Berlin on September 5.

Bayer Leverkusen prepares response for Maza

Bayer Leverkusen's stance aims to protect Ibrahim Maza before potential suitors make further moves. Although his current contract still has nearly four seasons remaining, until 2030, the German club is working on a proposal with enhanced financial terms to bolster their position.

Reports from Germany suggest a potential valuation between 65 and 70 million euros to initiate negotiations. This is not a known release clause but the price Leverkusen would consider in case of interest in the player.

The figure would represent an increase from the investment made to sign him from Hertha Berlin in 2025. Maza was 19 years old at the time and directly penned a five-year contract with Leverkusen, where he flourished in his debut season.

His progress has also earned recognition outside the club. On September 8, Ibrahim Maza was named among the ten nominees for the Balón de Oro's best male young player award in 2026, following his debut Bundesliga season and involvement with Algeria.

Manchester City, United, and Arsenal heighten the competition

The scenario forces Atlético de Madrid to compete with three English clubs if they decide to turn their monitoring into an offer. Currently, there have been no formal proposals from any of the four interested parties or direct talks for a transfer.

The next move may materialize first in Germany. Bayer Leverkusen aims to progress with Ibrahim Maza's new contract despite it being in place until 2030. If the player accepts the upgrade, the German club's negotiating stance will strengthen; if discussions stall, potential suitors will have an opportunity to pursue a deal in upcoming transfer windows.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ibrahim Maza vuelve al radar del Atlético de Madrid