Ajax’s hopes of securing a reunion with former star Hakim Ziyech are at risk of collapse, with talks between Chelsea and the Dutch giants failing to progress.
The attacking midfielder scored 49 times and added 81 assists during a four-year-spell in Amsterdam before he joined Chelsea for £33.3m in 2020.
But his time at Stamford Bridge has not proved to be as successful, with the Moroccan star keen to leave the club after failing to nail down a regular spot in Thomas Tuchel‘s starting XI.
Ajax have attempted to bring him back to the club but discussions haven’t gone well, and the Dutch side are now contemplating whether to switch to other targets.
Hakim Ziyech’s move to Ajax from Chelsea is at risk of collapse with talks not going well
Thomas Tuchel has plenty of work to do in the final days of the summer transfer window
If the move does collapse, Ziyech will join a long list of stars at Stamford Bridge who are unwanted by Thomas Tuchel but are also unable to secure a move away from the club.
After Sunday’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Leeds, Tuchel has plenty of work left to do in the transfer window, which closes at 11pm on September 1.
They have been heavily linked with moves for Wesley Fofana, Anthony Gordon, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong.
It is not just incomings that Tuchel will be busy with in the final days of the window but also outgoings as Chelsea’s large squad is in need of trimming.
There are numerous players without a future still part of the set-up at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea’s challenge will be offloading those on their books that are on much higher salaries than they would receive elsewhere.
Ross Barkley, Kenedy, Michy Batshuayi, Ethan Ampadu and Billy Gilmour all failed to receive a squad number this year, suggesting their careers lie elsewhere, but Tuchel has been unable to offload any of them so far this summer.
Ross Barkley is part of Chelsea’s bloated squad and didn’t get a number ahead of the season
Hot prospect Billy Gilmour has also fallen out of favour after a loan spell with Norwich City
Barkley has played just 215 minutes in the Premier League for Chelsea over the past two seasons, but there are no signs for the former Everton wonderkid will secure a move away, with a year still left to run still on his contract.
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