West Ham United Have Joined The Race To Land This Gifted Starlet: One For The Future? | OneFootball

In a recent report, Bild (via Sport Witness) mentioned that West Ham United have joined the race to land Hertha Berlin starlet Ibrahim Maza this summer. It has been stated that the Hammers would have to compete with Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Leicester City in pursuit of the German attacker later this year.

Maza has come through the youth ranks of the German club and has done well to prove his worth as a first-team starter for them recently. The 18-year-old has made 15 appearances for Hertha Berlin this season, netting two goals and picking up two assists in multiple competitions.

The Berlin-born talent has been a decent performer in the final third as he is averaging 1.2 shots, 0.9 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in the Bundesliga 2. However, he needs to improve his ball distribution after completing just 71.7% of his attempted passes in the second tier of German football (stats via whoscored).

Maza’s current contract at the German club will run out in the summer of 2026. Hence, it won’t be easy for the Hammers to get a deal done for him on the cheap at the end of this campaign.

VARAZDIN, CROATIA – MARCH 20: Ibrahim Maza of U19 Germany during the UEFA Under19 European Championship Qualifier between U19 Croatia and U19 Germany at Stadion Andelko Herjavec on March 20, 2024 in Varazdin, Croatia. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images for DFB)

West Ham United Have Joined The Race To Land Maza: Is He A Prospect For The Future?

Maza is proficient at finding some space for himself to get a few strikes in at goal. He is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and can create the odd chance for his teammates in the final third. The German attacker mainly functions in the number ten position but can also play as a left-sided wide player or as a centre-forward if told to do so by his manager.

We can expect Maza to bring more firepower to West Ham‘s attacking department. He has what it takes to become a future star at the London Stadium if the Hammers are willing to be patient with his progress.

At 18, Maza is undoubtedly a prospect to watch out for in the long run. Therefore, the East London club should focus on bringing him to the Premier League when the transfer window reopens at the end of this season.