Payback for Lewandowski? Bayern move to hijack Barca deal for Mazraoui

FT Desk

21 Mar 2022 13:44 GMT
5 min read

Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui — © ProShots

Barcelona and Bayern Munich look destined to lock horns in the summer transfer window, as things currently stand.

The Catalan giants may have just beaten their rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in Sunday’s El Clasico, but reports in Spain have for some time now suggested that Barca have big plans to bring in a number of new players this summer.

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As FootballTransfers reported last week, Barca have made Robert Lewandowski their main transfer target ahead of next season, following the club’s decision to drop out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

The Poland international has a contract until 2023 and unless Bayern can get their star striker to stay put and sign an extension to his deal, the Bundesliga giants may be forced to sell Lewandowski in the months ahead.

However, while Barca may be grinning from ear to ear at the thought of signing Bayern’s star striker, the Germans have now retaliated in kind by potentially hijacking another pivotal signing that their Spanish rivals had hoped to get over the line before the end of this season.

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A post shared by Noussair Mazraoui (@nousmaz97)

Bayern make a move for Mazraoui

According to German broadcaster Sport1, Bayern have now entered the race to sign Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui.

Not only is the Morocco international a highly-regarded defender, but he was also widely expected to complete a pre-contract agreement with Barca.

Bayern München try to hijack a potential Barca deal with Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax Amsterdam, free agent in summer). The Bundesliga side have made a first (and final) offer that is better than the Barca one (more than €10m salary). Now it’s up to the player. @kerry_hau @SPORT1
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) March 21, 2022

However, according to Sport1, Bayern’s recent meeting with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, has now led to the German giants making a better offer than their Spanish counterparts.

Indeed, if Mazraoui decides to join Bayern instead his salary will be more than €10 million per year. Which is reportedly more than Barca were able to offer the young defender.

It remains to be seen which club the Ajax star will pick ahead of his contract expiring this summer, but it seems certain that Bayern and Barca will continue fighting it out over the coming months.