Pay rise and hefty signing bonus: Ibrahim Maza expected to extend his contract at Bayer Leverkusen
Midfielder Ibrahim Maza is set to sign an early contract extension with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Bild, representatives of Leverkusen have held several rounds of talks with Maza's camp and have now sent the 20-year-old a written offer. His signature could "come quickly", with the deal expected to be completed before Christmas.
Maza's current Bayer contract runs until 2030. The proposed extension would keep him at the club until 2031 and reward the gifted technician's progress. His salary would reportedly rise from €2.5 million a year to around €4 million, and he could receive a further €4 million signing bonus.
Crucially for Leverkusen, the new contract is still not expected to include a release clause. That would leave the club in a strong negotiating position in any future transfer talks.
When did Ibrahim Maza join Bayer Leverkusen?
Maza joined Bayer from second-division club Hertha BSC in 2025 for a €12 million transfer fee. He has made impressive progress there and, under new coach Carles Martinez, has long been a regular starter and key player. In 14 appearances this season, he has registered eight goal contributions (four goals, four assists).
Manchester City and FC Barcelona are among the prominent clubs abroad reportedly monitoring him. In recent weeks, rumours have also suggested that Champions League winners PSG are considering a move for Maza in the winter. The French club are looking for a replacement for the seriously injured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Asked about the speculation, Maza said on the sidelines of the Ballon d'Or ceremony to RTL and Sky: "Of course, it would be a big dream to play for such a big club one day. I think we all know what a big club Paris are, and they are among the best clubs in the world, alongside Real, Barca and Arsenal. And getting to play for a club like that: it's something not just I, but many footballers, are working towards."
The Algeria senior international said he "definitely" wanted "to win the Champions League one day. That is a goal, of course. And my dream is to be among the best in the world one day and win the Ballon d'Or. That's what I'm working towards," he added. Maza is also flattered by comparisons with former Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz (Liverpool FC). "I see that as a positive, of course. It's great that, as most people say, I have things in common with Flo Wirtz. And yes, of course it's nice when people say, in reference to a world-class player like Flo: 'He has something of him about him.'"
