Reports say that Chelsea is willing to sell a high-profile attacker at a huge loss in the next few days. Three Premier League teams and a powerhouse from Serie A are competing for his signature.
The Blues have spent more money than any other team in Europe again this window, with a focus on their forward line.
Joao Felix is there on a six-month loan, but Noni Madueke, David Datro Fofana, and the very good Mykhailo Mudryk are all there for good. Last week, when Mudryk came off the bench for his first game against Liverpool, three of the best sports commentators went crazy.
A deal has also been made to bring Christopher Nkunku to Stamford Bridge in the summer. Graham Potter’s forward ranks are therefore full to the brim.
So, people will have to leave, and Kai Havertz is one of the names that have been linked to leaving later in 2023. But today’s news is about a Moroccan player named Hakim Ziyech.
In 2020, Chelsea paid Ajax €44 million (about £38 million at the current exchange rate, including add-ons) for the 29-year-old player, who was known for setting up a lot of goals.
Ziyech has shown some promise, but he hasn’t been able to make as big of an impact as he did in Amsterdam.
So, the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio says that Chelsea are now ready to let him go. Also, they are willing to sell at a price that is much lower than normal.
Ziyech to save money?
Di Marzio’s website said that Chelsea only wants to sell him, not loan him out, and has set a price of €20 million (about £17.6 million).
Milan and Roma are interested from Italy, but Milan can’t afford a permanent move and is probably out of the running.
The situation is different for Jose Mourinho’s Roma, who may soon need to find a replacement for Nicolo Zaniolo.
Spurs were interested in the Italy international, but they have since signed Arnaut Danjuma on loan.
Even if that move is done and Spurs are no longer interested, a surprise move to Bournemouth could happen. Fabrizio Romano says that the Cherries are planning a move that would set a club record.
Roma isn’t the only team interested in Ziyech. Three Premier League teams are also after him.
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Everton all circling.
The Telegraph said that Newcastle has a “strong” interest in Everton’s Anthony Gordon in case they don’t get him.
Sky Sports put Everton in the running on January 25, and the fact that they almost got Danjuma has made the Toffees look for more offensive players again. In addition to Ziyech, they are also thinking about making a move for Kamaldeen Sulemana of Rennes, though they are not the only Premier League team interested.
Sky even said Everton would be willing to pay £25 million for Ziyech, which, given what Di Marzio said about Chelsea’s price, would make it very easy for the two clubs to make a deal.
But getting Ziyech to join a fight against relegation might be a different story.
The Athletic says that Aston Villa is also interested in Ziyech. Unai Emery wants to bring in big-name attackers and could speed up a move for Ziyech since another attacker he wants, Gerard Deulofeu, needs surgery to fix a torn ACL.
A Ziyech exit seems like something to keep an eye on in the last few days of the window. If the stylish playmaker leaves, he might not have to go far to get to his new club.
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