Leeds United wanted Hakim Ziyech this summer – and Chelsea are now ready to sell the wide man for just £8million this summer.
Chelsea have brought in Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly in two pretty exciting moves.
Todd Boehly is ready to spend on new signings and Thomas Tuchel will be backed – but some players clearly need to leave as well.
Timo Werner is being linked away from Chelsea and another 2020 signing could be on his way out in Leeds United target Ziyech.
Leeds United wanted Hakim Ziyech
It’s somewhat forgotten now but Chelsea did have a transfer embargo in 2019, so they went big with their 2020 additions.
Werner, Ziyech and Kai Havertz were headline additions, with Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy also arriving.
The results have been mixed; Mendy and Silva have been very good, Havertz showed promise last season, Chilwell has been out with a long-term injury and Werner hasn’t scored as many as predicted.
As for Ziyech, much was expected after seeing him excel for Ajax.
The Moroccan racked up 49 goals and 80 assists in 164 appearances for Ajax, shining as a creative left-footed playmaker from wide areas.
Yet with just 14 goals and 10 assists in 83 Chelsea outings, it just hasn’t worked for Ziyech in West London.
The 29-year-old is now available for around £8million according to the Daily Mail, a staggering loss of around £25million based on the deal Chelsea struck in 2020.
AC Milan are the main suitor for Ziyech but Leeds United have been linked as well.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs reported in June that Leeds were showing a real interest in signing Ziyech as a replacement for Raphinha.
Ziyech may not have Raphinha’s pace but in terms of offering creativity cutting in from the right flank onto his left foot, you can understand that interest.
Would Leeds still want Ziyech? It’s a tough one.
Luis Sinisterra has been brought in to replace Raphinha, meaning Leeds aren’t really in the market for another wide man right now.
Yet with Newcastle United targeting Jack Harrison this summer, Leeds could yet be pressed into signing another winger.
Ziyech is a name to keep an eye on, especially at just £8million, but Milan’s interest makes things difficult – just as it has with Charles De Ketelaere.
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