Hakim Ziyech has been amongst the transfer talk recently, with just a week left before the window slams shut. Antonio Conte has already made his transfer plan very clear that "if someone goes away then another has to come."
This does mean that if Ziyech were to make the move across London, it is likely to only happen if he is replacing an outgoings. However, with the likes of Bryan Gil linked with a move away, this won't be impossible.
The 29-year-old has only featured in one of Chelsea's opening three Premier League matches this season, with Thomas Tuchel favouring his other defensive options. This has sparked exit rumours and it seems as though Tottenham and Ajax are the sides linked.
READ MORE: Tottenham look to hijack Chelsea man's return to Ajax to strengthen attacking options
Former Spurs player Rafael van der Vaart previously made a prediction about the attacking midfielder making the move to his old side and the positive impact it could have. "I've been saying that for some time now. I believe Ziyech is the type of player who could make a big impact in the current Spurs team," he admitted.
"With a playmaker like him, chances are things will start to go much better. Then Son [Heung-min] doesn’t have to go deep to collect the ball and [Harry] Kane can just remain up front as a striker as well. They miss someone who can feed them those balls. Now they have to work too hard."
Conte has got the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Moura and now Richarlison as other attacking options, but there is nothing to say this couldn't be strengthened further. Ziyech has a current market value of up to £25.3million, so it wouldn't be a huge cost for Spurs if they could persuade Chelsea to sell to their London rivals.
If the Dutch born player did secure a move to Ajax, it wouldn't be the first time he has played there. Before his move to Chelsea, Ziyech spent four years at Ajax, finding great success in his 165 appearances where he scored 49 goals and registered 81 assists and made an impression on Erik ten Hag, who has also been linked with a move for the attacker since taking over at Manchester United.
With the success he had in the Netherlands, you would think that it may be his preferred next destination. However, Dutch journalists Johan Derksen and Rene van der Gijp featured on Vandaag Inside and had a different view.
"Ziyech was the big star in the Netherlands and actually failed at Chelsea. I can imagine that he prefers Tottenham, because he still wants to succeed in England," Derksen said, via Sport Witness.
"A bit like a failure [to return to the Netherlands]. He is received here with applause, that would be a warm welcome, but then the boy has failed in England.
Van der Gijp agreed and said: "If you can play at Tottenham or you play against Sparta, RKC or Go Ahead, then you go there, right?"
According to De Telegraaf, Ajax only want a loan deal to be agreed for Ziyech, whilst Chelsea want the move to be permanent. This could be a boost for Conte, if Tottenham did decide to go for the 29-year-old.
Assuming Gil goes out on loan, Tuchel's player could make the move to N17 for the rest of the season, whilst the Spaniard hopefully develops elsewhere. Next summer Ziyech could return to West London, whilst Gil comes back to the capital and that way Conte has had a solid addition to his squad, but it hasn't cost Spurs a lump sum.
With a week left of the window there is still time for things to change and deals to be completed, so now it is just a waiting game to see how the next week unfolds.
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