Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech ‘prefers’ Tottenham switch over return to Ajax
Hakim Ziyech would reportedly prefer a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the final week of the summer transfer window rather than return to former club Ajax.
The Chelsea ace, 29, is desperate to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge before the window slams shut on September 1 after falling out of favour with boss Thomas Tuchel. Following Todd Boehly’s multi-billion-pound takeover, the Blues have shown they are not afraid of splashing the cash to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City, spending over £180million on new talent.
Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly and England star Raheem Sterling have all commanded fees upwards of £30m and Ziyech is unlikely to better his 14 Premier League starts last season if he stays in west London.
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Dutch outlet AD report that Ajax are keen on pursuing a sensational return for the man they sold to Chelsea for £33.3m a year ago, whilst Tottenham and Manchester United also hold a firm interest. Antonio Conte is keen on adding depth to the right side of his fearsome forward line and the Morocco international has been earmarked as a solid alternative to Dejan Kulusevski.
Ex-Eredivisie-star-turned-journalist Johan Derksen believes Ziyech would prefer to remain in the Premier League. “Ziyech was the big star in the Netherlands,” Derksen said on his talk show Vandaag Inside. “He actually failed at Chelsea.
“I can imagine that he would prefer Tottenham because he still wants to succeed in England. If you could play for Tottenham or play against Sparta [Rotterdam], RKC or Go Ahead [Eagles], then you go there [to Tottenham], right?”
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(Image: Getty Images)
Former Spurs hero Rafael van der Vaart is also in favour of Ziyech signing for Antonio Conte’s side as he could make a “big impact.”
“I’ve been saying that for some time now,” van der Vaart told The Times. “I believe Ziyech is the type of player who could make a big impact in the current Spurs team.
“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. Because they miss someone who can feed them those balls. Now they have to work too hard.”
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