In the latest transfer news, Bayern Munich have completed their first signing of the summer transfer window, with defender Noussair Mazraoui set to join the club on a four-year deal when his current contract with Ajax expires at the end of the season.
Transfermarkt understands that the 24-year-old right-back will make the move to Germany on a free transfer, despite being worth no less than €20 million. Which makes him the third most valuable free transfer in the Munich club's history.
German newspaper Bild had previously reported that Mazraoui had successfully completed a medical check and that "everything had been clarified" with the defender.
The defender is set to receive an annual salary of €8m at Bayern, which will reportedly put him level with Benjamin Pavard in the club's salary bill as well as the departing Niklas Süle, who will join Borussia Dortmund for free this summer.
Bayern have been desperate to upgrade the right-back position since Hansi Flick was the head coach, with the club looking far from convincing in that area of the pitch for some time. World Cup winner Pavard, who also plays on the right for the France national team, has since reverted to a central defender in Munich and has left Julian Nagelsmann with playing converted wingers as wing-backs for much of the season. As such, Bayern were determined to sign Mazraoui and are believed to have directly outbid Barcelona for the defender with their proposed salary.
Following Mazraoui will undoubtedly be another Ajax star in Ryan Gravenberch, who also looks set to complete a move to Bayern in the coming weeks. The midfielder is under contract with the Dutch giants until June 30, 2023. However, once the clubs agree on a deal, the 19-year-old should be confirmed as a new Bayern player too.
According to Dutch newspaper, The Telegraaf, Ajax have stepped back from their initial demands of €30m for the midfielder and are moving closer to Bayern's offer of €23m, which would break down as €17m up front and €6m in additional bonuses. However, according to Bild, the player's transfer will end up costing Bayern no less than €28m. Which would make Gravenberch the club's second most expensive signing under the age of 20.
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