Chelsea flop's agent responds to shock transfer talk

Willem Leijgraf

• Updated: 2 Jan 2024 16:05 GMT
• 3 min read

On Monday, rumours surfaced in Turkey that Hakim Ziyech could have his Galatasaray loan cut short amid claims of 'underperformance' and because of his frequent battles with injury.

However, the reporting has now been labelled as 'fake news' by agent George Gardi. His statement was in response to the assertion that Galatasaray were trying to get out of the loan deal - despite having an obligation to buy - and that Ziyech has also indicated that he wants to leave.

It was claimed that the decision-makers at the Turkish top club believe that the 30-year-old winger and attacking midfielder has not managed to meet expectations so far. Due to injuries, Ziyech has played just 14 matches this season, scoring four goals and notching two assists.

Ziyech rumours fake news

Gardi, who serves as Ziyech's agent, responded to the rumours on his social media channels. The representative shared a message on Instagram from a Turkish journalist on X with the caption 'fake news'.

The journalist in question had even quoted Gardi, but this has turned out to have also been made up. “I haven't spoken to anyone about Ziyech. I don't know this person either," the player's agent said.

Galatasaray will be without Ziyech from January 13 until possibly February 11, as he is part of the Moroccan squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

If Galatasaray were to actually want to get rid of Ziyech, they would have to find a solution with Chelsea due to the purchase obligation in the loan. However, the chances of the Blues cooperating are slim to none as they have no intention to welcome the player back at Stamford Bridge.

The news of a possible departure from Chelsea has also fueled rumours of a possible return to Ajax. Ziyech played 165 matches for the Amsterdam club between 2016 and 2020, before being sold to the Blues for €40 million.

Maurice Steijn, who was sacked as Ajax boss in October, recently said that he had the midfielder on his wishlist as a reinforcement. According to the 50-year-old coach, Ziyech's return was opposed by then-director of football Sven Mislintat.