Everton are reportedly pursuing Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech.
According to Caracol Radio in Colombia, Ajax are targeting a deal for Deportivo Cali playmaker Nicolas Benedetti – potentially allowing Hakim Ziyech to move on.
Ajax have been busy in the Colombian market in recent years, signing Davinson Sanchez before his big-money move to Tottenham, with Luis Manuel Orejuela and Mateo Casierra also on the books.
The Amsterdam giants could now return to sign playmaker Benedetti, with the 20-year-old – who has thrived in Colombia – now being lined up for a move to the Netherlands.
Ajax targeting another attacking midfielder may just hint that one could be leaving, and Everton target Hakim Ziyech may well be freed up for a summer move if Benedetti makes his switch.
The Sunday People (22/04, p64) report that Everton are bringing in PSV Eindhoven’s Marcel Brands as their new transfer guru, and one of his top targets is Ajax star Ziyech having watched him thrive in the Netherlands with Heerenveen, Twente and now Ajax.
The Moroccan international, who is set to feature at this summer’s World Cup, has starred this term with nine goals and 13 assists in 32 Eredivisie games, and it’s no surprise that he’s now attracting interest.
At 25, Ziyech appears to be at the perfect age to make his move to the Premier League, and Everton will be hoping to take full advantage of Ajax’s pursuit of Benedetti this summer by snapping up Ziyech.
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