Official: Ziyech to stay at Chelsea as PSG transfer appeal fails

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 1 Feb 2023 11:17 GMT
• 3 min read

PSG will not sign Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea this January after an appeal from the Ligue 1 leaders to the French League (LFP) was rejected.

Ziyech had expected to complete a Deadline Day move to the Parc des Princes side on loan but as PSG raced to beat the clock, there was a problem with the paperwork.

Chelsea reportedly submitted the incorrect documents to Les Parisiens on three occasions, ending any prospect of the transfer being completed.

PSG appealed the decision on Wednesday, but it was knocked back by the LFP, Ben Jacobs reports.

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What happened with Ziyech's PSG transfer?

L'Equipe du Soir broke the news that the transfer was put into jeopardy because of a hitch at the French League.

It was subsequently revealed that there had been an issue with the paperwork, with Chelsea failing to return the contracts in time.

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France Bleu reported that Chelsea sent the wrong documents through on THREE occasions.

PSG fought to find a solution to allow the loan deal, which Ziyech pushed for, to take place but were unable to do so.

Les Parisiens are said to be fuming with the attitude of Chelsea over the transfer, which left Ziyech embarrassingly stranded in their offices come the deadline.

Why did PSG want Ziyech?

The Ligue 1 club had been seeking offensive reinforcements before the close of the transfer window, but because of Financial Fair Play reasons they were unable to spend big on any players.

A surprising move for former Barcelona flop Malcom had been mooted from Zenit St Petersburg but ultimately fell by the wayside as a deal for Ziyech became more plausible.

With a busy second half to the season, PSG do not want to rely on a rather thin group of superstar attackers. Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi may all be superstar names, but beyond this trio they do not have significant senior experience in their ranks, with youngster Hugo Ekitike next in line.

Ziyech was expected to bring them both depth an depth and quality as they seek a first Champions League title, but it appears Chelsea’s incompetence has put an end to that.