Manchester City lead Arsenal & Chelsea in race for AZ star Adam Maher

Manchester City lead Arsenal & Chelsea in race for AZ star Maher

08-Mar-2013 6:44:00 PM

The Premier League champions are targeting a move for the 19-year-old Netherlands international, who could replace out-of-favour Samir Nasri at the Etihad Stadium

EXCLUSIVE

Manchester City are in pole position to sign €9 million-rated playmaker Adam Maher from Dutch side AZ in the summer amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

The 19-year-old has also attracted Premier League interest from Arsenal and Chelsea with his eye-catching performances in the Eredivisie in the last two seasons.

WANTED MAN

SEASON STATS
APPEARANCES GOALS ASSISTS BOOKINGS RED CARDS	29 7 6 3 1

City director of football Txiki Begiristain has held talks over a move for Maher and the Netherlands international has been invited to attend a game at the Etihad Stadium.

He is seen as a potential replacement for Samir Nasri, who Goal.com revealed last week could be sold by the Premier League champions if they receive a bid in the region of £18m.

Maher, who supported Ajax in his childhood, turned down a move to City when they tried to sign him as a youth player.

He is under contract until 2015 and last October was rewarded for his impressive form with a substantial pay rise as AZ looked to fend off interest from around Europe.

Dutch rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are also battling for Maher’s signature and the player has spoken of his preference to remain in the Netherlands at this stage in his career to satisfy his desire for regular football.

PSV had a series of bids rejected during the January transfer window but could be blown out of the water if City - or another English side - make a firm offer.

Maher has scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists in 84 appearances for AZ since making his debut at the age of 17 in December 2010.