Ziyech opens door to Tottenham or Man Utd transfer

Robin Bairner

• 25 Nov 2022 09:56 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is expected to depart the Stamford Bridge club soon and failed to shut down transfer talk when quizzed about it on World Cup 2022 duty for Morocco.

Ziyech was wanted by Serie A champions Milan in the summer but a move broke down when it seemed that a deal would be completed.

The Rossoneri now have a sticky relationship with Chelsea as they have frozen Tiemoue Bakayoko out of their plans to prevent themselves buying the France international midfielder out of his loan contract, increasing the probability that the Blues will negotiate elsewhere.

Nevertheless, Milan are hot favourites to land the winger on a loan deal.

MORE: Milan want Chelsea trio but fear deal will break down for one reason

Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with Ziyech, while there is the possibility that he returns to Ajax, the club he joined the Blues from in 2020 for €40 million.

Rather than distancing himself from any potential move, though, the 29-year-old has hinted that he is open to a transfer.

He was specifically asked about returning to the Amsterdam club during the January transfer window by NOS, and replied: “It's hard to say, difficult to say. We don't know what will happen in winter. It's football, so it's difficult to say.”

MORE: Ziyech’s Morocco display adds to Chelsea’s January transfer headache

Ziyech’s next destination

Certainly, his performances at Chelsea make it difficult to see another major Premier League making a serious move for him. His form has been erratic and his return of 14 goals and 10 assists in 92 games for the Blues has been somewhat disappointing given the investment that was made in him.

Furthermore, it appears that Manchester United’s leading target is PSV winger Cody Gakpo, who is wanted to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, whose sensational exit has blown a hole in the Red Devils’ squad. Nevertheless, this also assures that the Old Trafford side are in the market for additional attacking talent.

Ziyech, meanwhile, exited international retirement to play at World Cup 2022 with Morocco, where he was a member of the side that drew 0-0 with Croatia in their opening fixture on Wednesday.