Chelsea reach agreement to sign Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech for £36m
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech for £36m with the player set to join the Blues at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old was a transfer target for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard but Ajax were unwilling to sell in January as they wanted to keep him to help the club push for another Eredivisie title.
The signing of Ziyech will be the first by Frank Lampard in Chelsea colours as the club were unable to purchase anyone in the summer due to a transfer ban and failed to bring anyone in the winter transfer window.
The Blues have been having a bad time recently in terms of their Premier League form, winning just one from their last five games.
However, the bookies still have them 1/2 to finish in the top four by the end of the season, which would guarantee them Champions League football.
Chelsea are currently in the competition thanks to a Europa League win last campaign under now Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri and will face an in-form Bayern Munich team.
Lampard has a tough couple of fixtures prior to meeting the reigning Bundesliga champions as they face top-four rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their first games back from the winter break.
The Englishman has lamented the lack of attacking options in the squad, especially with star player Eden Hazard leaving for Real Madrid prior to his arrival.
With the likes of Olivier Giroud and Willian also wanting out of the club, the signing of Ziyech will be welcomed by the manager and the fans alike.
The Morocco international has once again impressed with Ajax, contributing to 29 goals in 30 games in all competitions with 21 being assists.
He managed to gain three assists in one game against his future employers in their Champions League group stage game that ended 4-4.
Ziyech has predominantly featured as a right-winger for Erik ten Hag’s side but can also play on the left and through the middle.
He joined Ajax from fellow Eredivisie side in the summer of 2016 for £10m and since his breakout campaign, last season where he contributed to 45 goals in all competitions, a move from Ajax has been inevitable.
Ziyech was heavily linked with a move to clubs such as Manchester United and Bayern Munich but Chelsea had also been interested in the left-footed magician for a long time and have completed a deal for a great midfielder.
