Hakim Ziyech has refused to rule out a move away from Chelsea in the January transfer window following Morocco's World Cup opener against Croatia. The 29-year-old, who featured in his nation's tournament opener against Croatia, has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge for some time now as he faces an increasingly uncertain future at the club.
The winger, who sees his contract in west London expire in 2025, has featured just nine times for the Blues in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards zero goals. Despite having shown glimpses of promise, several injuries have seen Ziyech fall down the pecking order under Graham Potter.
football.london understand that Chelsea are open to selling the Moroccan should a suitable offer be tabled. It's said that AC Milan tabled a bid of €25million (£21m) in the summer - with €5million (£4.2m) to be paid this year and €20million (£16.8m) the next, but the bid was rejected.
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Then, on deadline day, Evening Standard reported that Tottenham emerged as a late escape route for Ziyech as Antonio Conte looked to further bolster his strike force. It's said that talks over a move and personal terms were underway late into the window, but a deal failed to materialise.
With growing speculation over Ziyech's future, he was quizzed by the Netherlands outlet NOS if a return to the Eredivisie is on the cards this winter. As quoted by the Metro, the Chelsea winger said: "It's hard to say, difficult to say. We don't know what will happen in the winter. It's football, so it's difficult to say."
Earlier this month, Rafael van der Vaart insisted that Ziyech could be the final piece of Spurs' title-winning puzzle. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the former Tottenham midfielder said: "Hakim Ziyech has to join Tottenham. If Tottenham get Hakim Ziyech, they could win the Premier League. I am serious."
Marco van Basten chipped in and claimed that the Chelsea winger needs a change of scenery. He added: "There is another transfer window coming up. It is sad and a shame. Ziyech is a great player.
"We have to see someone like that, we watch TV for such a player, and we come to the stadium. It is a pity for the whole of football that he is on the bench.
"If these kinds of players do not get minutes, it is not good for football. There should actually be a rule that clubs can only have a certain number of players.
"So they [Chelsea] have way too many, and that actually makes football less interesting. A player like Ziyech could just play at another club and entertain the fans."
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