Premier League giants Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement with Ajax to complete the signing of Hakim Ziyech.
Earlier, Blues gaffer Frank Lampard was keen to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window as his side pushes for a top-four finish. Hakim Ziyech predominantly plays on the right-wing but can also play as a No 10.The forward has scored eight goals and registered 21 assists in 29 matches across all competitions for Ajax this season.
And De Telegraaf now reports that Chelsea has landed the highly-rated Ziyech, 26, for a fee worth around £38m. After failing to land the Ajax star in January, Chelsea boss had ordered the club’s hierarchy to push ahead with the deal as reported by the Dutch newspaper.
Chelsea kept working on the deal after the window closed and it is understood the Premier League club are confident an announcement will be made soon before he moves to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. Ziyech, who has reportedly been the interest of Manchester United and Arsenal, will continue the remainder of the season with Ajax as the Dutch side push ahead with their domestic and European campaigns.
However, Chelsea’s deal to sign the 26-year-old attacking midfielder includes a catch which is said to be an important condition, that they must secure Champions League football. Ajax signed Ziyech from Dutch side Twente for a fee of around €11m in 2016 and he emerged as a star player in his side’s brilliant Champions League campaign last season.
Ziyech signed a new deal with his side Ajax last August and is under contract at Amsterdam until 2022. The Morocco international, who has made 29 appearances this season, has assisted an impressive 21 times and scored eight times across all competitions.
The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League and hold a two-point lead over fifth-placed Sheffield United. Lampard’s men return to action next Monday in an important showdown with top-four challengers Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
They face a tough run of fixtures in the coming weeks as they face London rivals Tottenham after their tie against the Red Devils.
And Chelsea faces a big challenge towards the end of the month as they welcome Bayern Munich to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie.
