Why Bayern Munich is ready to sell $33 million-rated Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich is reportedly open to selling right-back Noussair Mazraoui this summer, with Manchester United and West Ham United expressing interest in acquiring his services.Bayern Munich is reportedly open to selling right-back Noussair Mazraoui this summer, with Manchester United and West Ham United expressing interest in acquiring his services. Mazraoui joined Bayern on a free transfer from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022, but his playing time has been limited due to the presence of Benjamin Pavard. Bayern initially sought a transfer fee of €30 million ($32.7 million) for Mazraoui, but the market value for the 26-year-old is closer to €20 million ($21.8 million). Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, has stated that the club will not make any new signings until players are sold. The club’s pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt from Manchester United has reached an impasse, so the sale of Mazraoui could provide the necessary funds to strengthen the squad. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen on bringing Mazraoui to Old Trafford, as the Red Devils are seeking a long-term solution at right-back. West Ham United, managed by former Bayern Munich coach David Moyes, is also said to be in the running for Mazraoui’s signature. The sale of Mazraoui would generate a significant profit for Bayern, but it would also leave the club with a shortage of depth at right-back. Josip Stanisic has returned from a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, but he is more comfortable playing as a left-back. Despite the interest from United and West Ham, it remains to be seen whether Mazraoui will be sold this summer. Bayern has other players they could potentially sell, such as Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry, but they are unlikely to let go of such key members of the squad.

Bayern Munich are willing to sell Noussair Mazraoui this summer as Manchester United and West Ham … (+) United have shown interest. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

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It has been a busy transfer window for Bayern Munich, with the club having already spent over $150 million on new players this summer. The investment at this stage means that no new players will arrive until the players have been sold. While the club have pushed to sell Matthijs de Ligt to Man United in Noussair Mazraoui, another suitor could now leave Bayern.

“There will be no more players unless two or three players leave first,” said former Bayern Munich president and board member Uli Hoeneß at the club’s training camp on Lake Tegernsee. “(Sporting director) Max Eberl and (sporting director) Christoph Freund know very well that no one will come unless a few prominent players leave.”

On Monday, Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that Manchester United and West Ham United are exploring a deal to sign the Moroccan right-back. According to Plettenberg, Bayern originally wanted €30 million ($32.7 million) for the 26-year-old. But the market for Mazraoui is complex and it now appears that a price of around €20 million ($21.8 million) is more realistic for the national team player.

Bayern signed Mazraoui on a free transfer from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022, and even at a lower price, a move in that price range would still yield a significant profit. But a move in that price range would be disappointing even with a profit.

Firstly, the fee offered is significantly below the €30 million ($32.7 million) Transfermarkt market value valuation for Mazraoui. Secondly, it is also unlikely that a Mazraoui deal in that range would generate enough money to further strengthen the squad. Bayern are in talks to sign both Désiré Doué from Stade Rennais and Xavi Simons from PSG. However, statements from Hoeneß have made it clear that neither will join unless players are sold.

With Bayern Munich looking for revenue, Mazraoui is the perfect candidate for a transfer … (+) away from the club. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

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With that in mind, it makes sense that Bayern would now be looking to sell off pieces, especially since De Ligt’s move to Man United reached a bit of an impasse last week. While he now appears to be back on track, the De Ligt deal alone may not be enough to generate enough money to bring in new players.

This is especially true as the club are likely to struggle to sell big earners such as Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka this summer. With that in mind, other players will have to leave, and with Kimmich staying and Josip Stanisic returning from Leverkusen, there is now plenty of depth at right-back.

Whether Mazraoui will be so easy to sell remains to be seen. According to English reports, Man United also have Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong on the list. Frimpong is a much more dynamic and dangerous wing-back than his Moroccan counterpart, but also has an exit clause worth around €40 million ($43.5 million).

According to a report from Sky, West Ham appear to be leading the race for Mazraoui for the time being. Either way, it is good news for Bayern that multiple clubs are interested in signing Mazraoui. It gives Eberl and Freund a chance to drive up the price and improve their position in signing additional players in a busy transfer window for Bayern.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfer market. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA and various other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and on Threads: @manuveth