Barcelona and Inter Milan are reportedly in a transfer battle to sign Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea next summer.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Hakim Ziyech could be sold by Chelsea in next summer’s transfer window to fund a move for Jules Kounde. The Moroccan playmaker does not have any shortage of suitors, with Barcelona and Inter Milan keen on signing him.
Hakim Ziyech joined Chelsea from Ajax in July 2020 and has since seen his career stutter greatly. The 28-year-old was heralded as a long-term creative solution for the Blues, but a spate of injuries have blighted him and curtailed his progress considerably.
To date, Ziyech has made 57 appearances for Chelsea, chipping in with nine goals and eight assists in the process. And the Moroccan playmaker’s time at Stamford Bridge could be drawing to a close as they are considering selling him to fund a move for Jules Kounde. Barcelona and Inter Milan have emerged as two of his prospective suitors.
The interest from Barcelona is understandable, even though Ferran Torres has arrived from Manchester City recently. The continued interest in the Chelsea attacker directly results from Memphis Depay’s struggles after a bright start to his stint at Camp Nou.
The Dutch international is already tipped to leave Barcelona next summer, with a gamut of clubs keen on signing him. Depay’s possible departure would leave Barcelona needing a replacement, especially with Ousmane Dembele facing an uncertain future at the club. However, Barcelona will have to fend off competition from Inter Milan to sign Ziyech from Chelsea.
The Serie A champions’ interest in Ziyech makes a world of sense, as Christian Eriksen is no longer a part of the club. And the Chelsea playmaker could be a like-for-like replacement of the Danish international. At the same time, with Stefano Sensi blowing hot and cold, Ziyech’s addition could be a step in the right direction.
However, Inter Milan could have an uphill task convincing Ziyech to join them instead of Barcelona as recent reports have claimed that he is ready to switch to Camp Nou. For now, what seems certain is that Chelsea could sell Ziyech to fund a move for Kounde, who has agreed on personal terms with the Blues.