Bundesliga forwards becomes ‘new obsession’ for Pep Guardiola – €65 million bid pending

And the need for creative reinforcements has become paramount following the news that club captain Bernardo Silva will call time on his illustrious Etihad Stadium career at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, and the conclusion of his existing contract.

The €65 Million pursuit: City’s strategy for Maza

According to a new report from Africa Foot, Ibrahim Maza has become Pep Guardiola’s ‘new obsession’, with the Algerian forward set to be targeted by Manchester City in the next transfer window.

Remarkably, it is claimed that City have already made an initial attempt for the player with a €50 million bid, which was turned down Bayer Leverkusen, who are refusing to sell.

That being said, it is further claimed that Etihad Stadium bosses are now willing to offer €65 million plus a 5 per cent sell-on clause, giving those at the Bundesliga club plenty to mull over in the weeks and months ahead.

Elsewhere, Sport Witness have further pointed out that British agency CAA Stellar – who also manage Manchester City’s Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush – are representatives of the Bayer Leverkusen star.

Building the Post-Bernardo Silva era

The interest in Ibrahim Maza signals a clear intent from Hugo Viana to pivot toward elite youth recruitment, and while City have been linked with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as a more direct Premier League-proven replacement, Maza offers a different skillset.

The Algerian’s perceived ability to operate as a No.10 or drift wide mirrors the versatility that made Bernardo Silva indispensable for nearly a decade.

As we approach the final month of the season, Bayer Leverkusen’s resolve will certainly be tested, whether that be by approaches from within Manchester City, or elsewhere in Europe.

Having signed Maza from Hertha Berlin for just €12 million last summer, Leverkusen are reportedly holding out for a figure much higher, and it would come as no surprise to see him potentially keen on a move to the Premier League given its history with Algerian icons.