Algeria's Maza close to Bayer Leverkusen move

Hertha BSC/Facebook

German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are close to making Algerian forward Ibrahim Maza their first signing of the summer. The 19-year-old currently plays for Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga 2, having joined their youth academy in 2018.

Born in Berlin to Algerian and Vietnamese parents, Ibrahim Maza broke into Hertha’s starting line-up in mid-2023. He is considered one of the most sought-after talents in German football, and Xabi Alonso’s side have moved early to secure the transfer.

According to Bild, Maza’s transfer will be finalised in June, although his current contract with Hertha runs until 2026. The Algerian international is widely tipped as a potential successor to Florian Wirtz, with the German star rumoured to be leaving Leverkusen this summer.

Sky Germany reports that Maza’s contract at Leverkusen will run until 2029. He has been one of the stand-out performers for Hertha in the second division, recording seven goals and five assists in 32 appearances.

Maza has also made two appearances for Les Fennecs since committing to Algeria, debuting against Togo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in October. He made his second appearance as a substitute during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique in March.