How Aston Villa can beat Arsenal to sign 'the next Kai Havertz'

Aston Villa are already on alert ahead of the January transfer window.

The Villans had a busy summer, but don't look likely to become quiet once the winter market opens.

There have been frustrations on show in B6 so far this season as the new signings continue to be bedded in.

That came to the fore particularly in the defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.

It will be interesting to see how Unai Emery's side fare after the international break, but fresh faces could still be on the agenda.

Villa could turn their attention to Germany as their own edition of Kai Havertz could be on his way.

Aston Villa keeping tabs on Ibrahim Maza

The addition of Johan Manzambi was arguably the most exciting deal of the summer for the claret and blue outfit.

Bringing him in from the Bundesliga certainly caught the attention of Premier League fans.

That could be an avenue the Villans go down once again in January as Ibrahim Maza remains a target.

TEAMtalk reported on Sunday that Villa are keeping tabs on his progress at Bayer Leverkusen.

They are one of several sides interested with Arsenal the latest to show interest after sending scouts to watch him in person.

The Algeria international has caught the eye in the Bundesliga and has already drawn top comparisons at Bay Arena.

Former manager Erik ten Haag suggested he could be the man to be the next star for Leverkusen.

Speaking to The National News in August 2025, he said: "We will find out who the next Kai Havertz [ex of Leverkusen] or Wirtz can be. Maybe it could be Ibrahim Maza. It’s about seizing opportunities."

That is certainly a positive review, but the question will be how Villa can convince him of a B6 switch.

What can Aston Villa offer Maza that Arsenal can't?

There's no doubt that the Gunners are an attractive prospect having just won the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta can offer the chance of winning regular silverware to the 2005-born talent.

That isn't necessarily going to happen at Villa Park, but regular game time would certainly be on the agenda.

There would also be a chance to work with Emery who betters almost every player he works with.

That would allow Maza to potentially take a step up to the next level after proving his quality in Germany across the last two seasons.

He could prove to be the perfect player for the Villans to work on and help become the best version of himself.

It will ultimately depend on the Algerian and his preference and whether he would rather gain silverware with fewer minutes or feature regularly for a side slightly further down the table, but as part of an exciting project.