Anwar El Ghazi: Former Aston Villa and Everton winger set to pursue Cardiff City move after contract termination at Mainz

Mainz winger Anwar El Ghazi is in discussions to terminate his contract to pursue a move to Cardiff City.

The former Everton and Aston Villa player won a wrongful dismissal case against the German club at the Labour Court of Mainz earlier this month.

Mainz had cancelled his contract on November 2, 2023, following a series of social media posts made by the 29-year-old about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

On July 12, the court ordered the Bundesliga club to hand over more than £1m in unpaid wages and bonuses.

El Ghazi was thought to have another year left on his deal at Mainz, with a clause activated after the club avoided relegation to remain in the Bundesliga.

Sky Sports News understands El Ghazi is yet to be paid by Mainz and he is now expected to terminate his contract and seek damages from the club for the money he is owed before moving on.

The forward, who counts Ajax, PSV and French side Lille among his former clubs, has played more than 100 league matches in English football.

El Ghazi scored the opener in Aston Villa's 2-1 win against Derby County in the 2019 play-off final that sealed Villa's return to the Premier League.

The two-time Netherlands international will become the Sky Bet Championship club's third summer signing if the deal goes through, following the arrivals of former Arsenal pair Calum Chambers and Chris Willock.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.