Chelsea
Chelsea

Chelsea are anticipating a fire-sale in the last hours of the winter transfer window, after spending over £150m and bringing in six new players. The Blues need to balance their books before the FFP targets them and are looking to offload players who want to leave. And when talking about Chelsea players who want to leave Stamford Bridge, the first name comes to mind is Hakim Ziyech.

After falling out of favour with Graham Potter, the Moroccan has been actively looking for a move elsewhere. The former Brighton manager hasn’t entrusted Ziyech with ample gametime, as the winger has started a mere six games so far this season and has made nine appearances as a substitute. There’s no need for more justification for his urge to move out, as he has reportedly found a suitor in an unusual club; Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea
Chelsea winger hakim Ziyech wants a move away from the club after falling out of favour with Blues’ boss Graham Potter. Credits: Twitter

PSG in advance negotiations for the Chelsea winger – Fabrizio Romano

According transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, PSG have already opened talks with Chelsea for Ziyech, who are happy to let him join a club overseas than in England. The 29-year-old has played 15 games this season, but has only registered one assist. However, that’s not down to his form since he was in full throttle at the World Cup in Qatar leading Morocco to the semifinals with brilliant displays.

But it is the Chelsea manager Graham Potter who feels there’s no place for the ex-Ajax winger in his starting eleven, despite injuries to some key players. Moreover, with the additions of Joao Felix [on loan from Atletico], Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, Ziyech has further fallen down the pecking order. His current deal may have two-and-a-half-years still to run on it, the winger feels he has no future at Stamford Bridge.

A move to AC Milan was even finalised in the summer, only for the Blues to reject it. However, they are now prepared to let him leave with PSG on the verge of signing. The Parisians are looking for attacking reinforcements for themselves, after letting Spanish winger Pablo Sarabia join Wolves this window. They have hence approached Chelsea for Ziyech, who comes with quality and experience. Romano reports on the deal:

“Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced negotiations to sign Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea! Player has already accepted — as the two clubs are now discussing final formula of the deal. Negotiations will continue to get it done tonight.”

As claimed by Romano, Ziyech has already accepted personal terms with the Parisian club as the two sides are now discussing the financial part with a fee yet to be finalised. PSG are ready to push for the deal to go through quickly and smoothly as they need an attacker before the window closes. Although they boast the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, club manager Christoph Galtier has insisted on one more addition.

PSG’s Ziyech pursuit comes after they reportedly failed to land Lyon winger Rayan Cherki. It is a move by the Ligue 1 leaders to find a backup for Messi who plies trade on the right flank. While Sarabia occasionally covered for the Argentine World Cup winner, he didn’t offer much. Ziyech would definitely do better than the Spaniard managed to and provide a backup as well as an option for Galtier to look upon if one of the stars from the trio fail to fire on the cylinders.