Relegation-battlers Everton are reportedly prepared to fork out up to £25 million to land Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech as a potential Anthony Gordon replacement this January.

According to Sky Sports, Everton are hot on the trail of Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech as they look to solve their attacking problems.

The Toffees are a complete mess at the moment. And just when you think it can’t get any worse, they manage to surprise everyone. That is exactly what has happened this week, as they have suffered repeated setbacks.

A move for Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma was swiftly hijacked by Tottenham under their noses. Top managerial target Marcelo Bielsa has allegedly expressed reservations about replacing Frank Lampard. To make it a hat-trick of unfortunate events, Anthony Gordon is said to be closing in on a move to Newcastle United.

The Toffees seemed all but set to announce the signing of former Bournemouth winger Danjuma from Villarreal. It is believed that the 25-year-old had even completed his medical, and media duties.

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However, the paperwork for the deal had not yet been completed somehow, and the Dutchman was free to talk to another team. Spurs sensed the opportunity to capitalise and struck a similar agreement with Villarreal – a loan with a purchase option – and Danjuma jumped the seemingly sinking ship at the very last moment to join Antonio Conte’s side.

The Everton board, however, does not have time to dwell on their blunders in the window, with the squad in desperate need of fresh faces and quality additions in the final days of the January transfer window if they are to even stand a chance of surviving in the relegation scrap.

Everton are in dire need of a talisman, someone who can turn the mood at the club and help the Toffees secure Premier League status for next season with his decisive performances. To that end, Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech has been surprisingly linked with a move to Goodison Park and certainly fits the profile.

The 29-year-old has found it difficult to make his mark since arriving at Chelsea from Ajax in 2020, and he has featured on 98 occasions for the west London outfit, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists in the process.

The Moroccan is not a key member of Graham Potter’s squad and has largely been a rotational option for the Blues this term. Ziyech has enjoyed an extended run in the team of late, mainly due to injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic.

Despite only being able to showcase glimpses of his brilliance at Stamford Bridge, Ziyech possesses immense talent and a rare ability to turn games around in the blink of an eye, which he showed at the 2022 World Cup. He was Morocco’s talisman, helping the African nation reach the semi-finals of the competition with stellar displays.

At first glance, £25 million seems steep for the soon-to-be 30-year-old. But he would bring goals, assists, creativity, quality crossing from deep, and a great work rate off the ball. And if he is able to save the club from relegation, then £25 million will be an absolute steal. While it is highly doubtful that a player of Ziyech’s pedigree would move to a relegation-threatened, managerless club, it is worth a try as far as Everton are concerned.

Comments 1

  1. blue says:

    Everton in cuckoo land

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