Hakim Ziyech may be ready for a dramatic late transfer from Chelsea to London rivals Tottenham after the two clubs opened negotiations on a deal.
Ziyech is looking to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline after finding it difficult to get regular first-team football and the Moroccan has been linked with moves to Ajax, Milan and Manchester United throughout the summer.
However, Tottenham have become the latest club to register interest in the 29-year-old, with Chelsea believed to be claiming around £25m for the winger.
The two clubs have not conducted any business with each other since 2009 due to the strained relationship between the two sides, but that appears to have subsided since the arrival of new Chelsea owner Todd Boehle.
However, a deal between Tottenham and Chelsea is not thought to have progressed and Antonio Conte’s side are still considering alternatives, with Leeds’ Daniel James and Atletico’s Yannick Carrasco on the lookout.
Will Ziyech leave Chelsea?
Ziyech started his first game of the season in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Southampton but the former Ajax winger failed to make his mark on the match and it is still possible to move forward.
Chelsea have already allowed strikers Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi to leave this summer, while Christian Pulisic has been told he will stay at the club despite his desire to leave.
Ziyech will likely only be allowed to move if Chelsea secure one of their striking goals, with Barcelona player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang potentially arriving.
He was thought to be close to a move to Ajax as a replacement for Anthony, who joined Man United, but a deal could not be struck, leaving Ziyech with no immediate destination.
Les coéquipiers d’Hakim Ziyech on Chelsea 😬 pic.twitter.com/vLOoxkYSat
– Joueurs Marocains 🇲🇦 (@JoueursMA) August 30 2022
A move to Tottenham is said to interest Ziyech, which means personal terms shouldn’t be an issue, but the player could also stay at Chelsea if a fee is not agreed.
Ziyech has had a tough time since joining Chelsea from Ajax for £33m in 2020, having started just 29 leagues since then, scoring six goals.
