Maza joined Leverkusen from second-tier side Hertha BSC last summer for a transfer fee of twelve million euros. At Bayer, the attacking midfielder quickly progressed, secured a first-team spot and has become an indispensable part of the Leverkusen squad. To date, Maza has scored five goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances for the Werkself.
Maza is under contract at Bayer until 2030, and while lucrative offers from England may surface, the club is determined to keep the Algerian international in the Rhineland for the long term. Sporting director Simon Rolfes made this clear when he ruled out a return for Julian Brandt—set to leave Dortmund on a free transfer this summer—during a mid-March appearance onSport1’s ‘Doppelpass’, stating: “We have a superb player in that position in Ibo Maza, who will develop excellently over the coming years. For that reason, Julian will not be on our radar.”
In recent weeks, two additional European heavyweights, AC Milan and Atlético Madrid, have been linked with the Algerian, though Leverkusen are said to be open to discussing a sale only if a club meets their €45 million valuation.