Unfortunately for Leeds United, they’re probably about to miss out on a transfer target.
The Whites are riding high in the Premier League, thumping Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to pick up seven points from a possible nine so far this season.
Under Jesse Marsch, Leeds are definitely thriving despite losing some massive players like Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
One of the players who United reportedly wanted as a replacement for the latter is Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea.
But if Fabrizio Romano is right, that ship has sailed – or at least sailing rapidly.
According to the reliable Italian journalist on Twitter, the Blues winger held talks with Ajax recently about a return to Amsterdam this summer.
Negotiations with Leeds never got as far as contact being made, so the fact that the Dutch outfit are actively speaking to the player about a return to the Netherlands might indicate that a transfer to Elland Road isn’t happening.
With Daniel James linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, the Whites are certainly going to need an additional wide player to replace the Wales international, if it happens.
But if Romano is accurate then, well, Ziyech is a dead end.
As mentioned, Leeds are having an excellent campaign but, remember, things can go very wrong, very quickly.
Who would’ve predicted after their first season back in the Premier League, having beaten Manchester City at Eastlands, that they’d come within a hair of being relegated a year later?
Leeds need to stay hungry and additional signings really wouldn’t go amiss, even if Ziyech – a £33 million Chelsea signing in 2020 [Sky Sports] – isn’t happening.
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