Ibrahim Maza, a 20-year-old attacking midfielder from Algeria who plays for Bayer Leverkusen (under contract until 2030), had been linked to Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the transfer window. However, Sky Sport reported this Monday that PSG has now withdrawn from the pursuit, following an initiative taken by the player’s father and the German club.
“This way of proceeding was not appropriate.”
According to our information, Ibrahim Maza’s father and Bayer Leverkusen sought to bypass the initial framework of discussions by re-establishing contact with Paris—via the agency Stellar—in order to “verify” the French club’s interest. This move did not sit well with Luis Campos.
The Parisian sporting advisor reportedly decided to put an end to the talks, taking the view that this way of proceeding did not align with how PSG intends to handle its recruitment matters. The message conveyed was reportedly clear: the Maza case is now closed.
Please note that this is a rumor; it does not carry the same weight as an official announcement. Football is known for its surprises—especially during the transfer window—so the Maza situation could potentially be revived. For now, however, it has clearly gone cold.
In any case, it should be noted that no new signings are particularly expected for PSG this winter. The squad is well-stocked, and the team is functioning effectively. There is no reason to rush, even with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (the 26-year-old forward) sidelined for a significant portion of the season.
Maza might remain an option for the future—one of several players being monitored with an eye toward what lies ahead—but nothing concrete has materialized. It is entirely possible that PSG will take the matter no further; the Parisian club has previously demonstrated that it can be quite strict regarding the parameters it sets. We will have to wait for further developments to know for sure.
