Al-Shabab interested in Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, player wants Ajax return

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab, according to Ben Jacobs.

The creative Moroccan still has interest from the Middle East despite a move to Al-Nassr falling through earlier in the transfer window.

However, Ziyech is reportedly hoping for a move back to Ajax, where he previously broke through as a top-class performer.

He notched 49 goals and 81 assists in 165 appearances for the record-time Eredivisie champions before joining Chelsea in 2020.

It is unclear if Ajax will return for their former number ten, who has had a disappointing time in England following the move three years ago.

They have been slow in the transfer market, leaving several players disgruntled ahead of the upcoming season. His massive salary may be too much for them.

Ziyech has bagged only 14 goals and 13 assists in 103 appearances for Chelsea. Many people expected him to produce better numbers, but he failed to live up to expectations. 

The attacker was close to leaving Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain in January, but the move collapsed due to clerical errors from the Premier League club.

He returned and remained part of their squad until the end of the season.

Chelsea decided to sell him this summer as part of their clear-out, but the proposed move to Al-Nassr collapsed last month. 

There were rumours Al-Nassr found some concerns in his knee and attempted to reduce the massive wages they initially offered him. 

Chelsea left Ziyech behind as they went to the United States on their pre-season tour, with new manager Mauricio Pochettino refusing to take him. 

The Moroccan international now has to wait for suitors to take him away from Stamford Bridge.