Premier League heavyweights are reportedly open to letting Hakim Ziyech join Barcelona if they get Franck Kessie in an exchange deal.
According to a report by SPORT, Barcelona will have the chance to sign Hakim Ziyech this month. The Chelsea playmaker has offered himself to the Blaugrana. And the Blues are open to letting the 29-year-old join Barcelona if they get Franc Kessie in return.
Franck Kessie has endured a frustrating stint since joining Barcelona in a Bosman move last summer. The 26-year-old arrived at Spotify Camp Nou after leaving AC Milan as a free agent. But the Ivory Coast international has managed only 754 minutes of game time for Barcelona across 18 outings.
On the other hand, Hakim Ziyech has seen his progress come to a grinding halt since joining Chelsea. The Blues had signed arguably the best player in the Eredivisie 30 months ago. But the Moroccan international has failed to make his mark. And the 29-year-old is now a bit-part player for the west London club.
Ziyech recently offered himself to Barcelona amid the Catalan outfit’s search for a Memphis Depay replacement. And this is not the first time reports have linked the Chelsea playmaker with Barcelona. And considering the previous interest from the Blaugrana, the 29-year-old might be an attractive target.
Meanwhile, Franck Kessie is a target for Chelsea, who recently failed with an approach for the Ivory Coast international. The Blues need a midfield reinforcement this month amid N’Golo Kante’s fitness woes. And with Jorginho blowing hot and cold, it behoves Chelsea to sign a versatile midfielder like Kessie.
The west Londoners are reportedly ready to offer Ziyech in an exchange deal to sign Kessie. But the report does not mention whether Barcelona will be open to such a proposal. Meanwhile, Kessie is keen on succeeding at Spotify Camp Nou and does not wish to leave Barcelona anytime soon.
So the cards are stacked against Chelsea, and an exchange deal involving Ziyech and Kessie seems unlikely. But it will be interesting to see if the 29-year-old joins Barcelona before the summer transfer window.