Man in demand: Villa and Lange now looking to pip Leeds in race for soon-to-be free agent

Aston Villa have joined Leeds in the race to sign Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui ahead of the teams’ clash in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Mazraoui is 24 years of age and is primarily a right-back who can also provide cover in central midfield.

A Morocco international, he has been on the senior books with the Dutch giants since 2018 and is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

Valued at a career-high £18m by Transfermarkt, Mazraoui has made 126 appearances for Ajax and has been a regular during the current campaign.

Leeds were name-checked with an interest in Mazraoui just last month, and it seems as if they may now face competition from Villa.

According to Fichajes, the Premier League is ‘knocking loudly’ on Mazraoui’s door, with Villa, Everton and Leicester City linked with a move for the in-demand Moroccan.

Mazraoui has recently stated that there is just a 5% chance he will remain an Ajax player ahead of the 2022/23 season, and he appears to be a shrewd target for Villa.

That’s because Atletico Madrid are showing a strong interest in right-back Matty Cash ahead of the summer window and started contacts over a possible move in January.

Even if Cash remains in the Midlands, Mazraoui could still be a smart signing on a free transfer due to Steven Gerrard’s lack of options in that area. The Ajax defender has ample experience at the highest level for both club and country and can also provide cover in midfield.

Johan Lange can actually tie up a pre-contract agreement right now due to the player’s contract situation, so it could be one to keep a close eye upon in the future.

In other news: BBC Radio 5 Live man applauds Villa for pulling off this ‘total shock’

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