A journalist with strong sources at Bayern Munich has shared an exciting update on a West Ham move for Noussair Mazraoui.
West Ham’s hunt for a new right-back has seen them target Kyle Walker-Peters and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
But with those deals becoming increasingly protracted, the Hammers have moved on to Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui.
With West Ham’s move for Wan-Bissaka seemingly stuck in the mud, Hammers technical director Tim Steidten turned his attentions to one of Manchester United’s targets instead in the shape of Mazraoui.
Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg broke the news of West Ham’s bid to rival Man United for Moroccan right-back Mazraoui.
Now the journalist with strong sources at Bayern Munich has shared an exciting update on the West Ham move for Mazraoui.
Exciting update on West Ham move for Mazraoui
Plettenberg says West Ham are still pushing to sign the 26-year-old and have held more talks with Bayern in the last few hours.
Better still for the Hammers, Bayern are “more than willing to sell” him for just over £15m.
No agreement has been reached between West Ham and Bayern as yet but the club’s German technical director Tim Steidten and head coach Julen Lopetegui definitely want him.
Wan-Bissaka is now the alternative.
In even better news for West Ham, Mazraoui is keen to play Premier League next season. But Man United are also seriously interested in reuniting him with Erik ten Hag – his former manager from his Ajax days.
In a further update, Plettenberg makes clear Bayern are only interested in a straight sale to the Hammers or loan with an obligation to buy.
The player himself is also not interested in a loan and is focused on a permanent deal.
“Negotiations between Bayern and West Ham are ongoing,” Plettenberg says.
“No agreements yet. Bayern demand 20 million euros (£16m) all-in.
“Man United, still there but they have to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka first.”
Why Mazraoui would be an excellent signing for West Ham
Mazraoui will bring both quality and versatility to West Ham’s squad.
The Moroccan right-back, who has also played in midfield, has proven his ability in top European competitions, most notably with Ajax under Ten Hag.
Mazraoui’s strengths lie in his defensive solidity combined with attacking prowess. Casual observers of Bayern may think he’s a forward given how often he appears in advanced and even central positions during their attacks.
According to WhoScored, the West Ham target boasts an impressive passing accuracy of 85%, demonstrating his ability to retain possession and distribute the ball effectively.
This is crucial for West Ham, who often rely on quick transitions and precise passing to launch counter-attacks – a feature Lopetegui has already made clear he is keen to retain as he looks to make the Hammers less of a one-trick pony.
Mazraoui’s ability on the ball is impressive. He averages 1.2 successful dribbles per game.
A shrewd investment for the Hammers
Defensively, he’s a safe pair of hands too. Robust and reliable, he averages 2.3 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game, which showcases his strong defensive capabilities and his knack for reading the game.
With Lopetegui desperate to almost completely transform West Ham’s defence – bar Emerson – that will prove vital.
But the modern game requires goal contributions from full-backs if teams are ambitious to achieve anything of note.
And in addition to his defensive contributions, Mazraoui has a keen eye for goal and creativity. He has contributed with key passes and assists, averaging 1.1 key passes per game. His versatility is also a significant asset; being able to play as a right-back, right-winger, or even in central midfield allows him to adapt to different tactical setups and provide depth across multiple positions.
At 26 years old, Mazraoui is also arguably entering the prime of his career, combining experience with potential for further growth. His international experience with Morocco, including participation in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, adds to his profile as a player accustomed to high-pressure situations.
His proven track record, key statistics, and adaptability make him an ideal fit for the Premier League and a shrewd signing for the Hammers at £16m.
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