PSG in advanced negotiations to sign Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea

Paris Saint-Germain are in advanced discussions to sign Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech on loan for the rest of the season, according to L’Equipe.

Chelsea are open to letting the player leave before tomorrow’s transfer deadline. But it is unclear if the deal will give the French club an option or obligation to sign him at the end of the season. 

Ziyech has been trying to leave Chelsea for almost a year but has not found the right destination. There were links to Ajax and Serie A champions AC Milan, but nothing materialised.

It looks like the right-winger has found a new home, at least temporarily until June.

PSG have been looking for a right-winger in the transfer market to replace Pablo Sarabia, who joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Ligue 1 champions have settled on the 29-year-old after briefly looking at PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko.

Ziyech has no goals and one assist in ten Premier League appearances this term. The Moroccan international has only started four games and is a second-string option for the Blues.

He has made another three appearances in the Champions League, and all have come from the bench. He did start in the Carabao Cup against Manchester City and impressed.

Ziyech’s time in London has been disappointing since joining the club in the 2020/21 summer transfer window. Niggling injuries and adaptation issues have made him struggle. 

Neither former manager Thomas Tuchel or current boss Graham Potter have trusted Ziyech.

There are still glimpses of the maestro that was incredible in the Eredivisie with Ajax, but only fleeting ones. He is better when he is with his national team.

Ziyech looked immense for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, starting their seven games and recording one goal and an assist as they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

PSG look set to take Ziyech on loan, where he will play back-up to Lionel Messi on the right side of the attack. He will likely be the Les Parisiens’ only piece of incoming business in the winter window.