Hakim Ziyech’s move to Al-Nassr ‘is in doubt after medical knee problem diagnosed’ – after his move to PSG collapsed in January over the same issue
- The Chelsea winger has struggled for minutes during The Blues’ final season
- Ziyech’s winter move to PSG fell through due to administrative issues
- The deal for the 30-year-old would make him the fourth Chelsea player to head east
Saudi Arabian Al-Nassr reportedly have doubts about the transfer of Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea.
The Morocco international is one of several players earmarked by top clubs from the Kingdom as they continue their aggressive recruitment drive in Europe’s top flight.
Chelsea have so far seen Edouard Mendy transfer to Al-Ahli, Kalidou Koulibaly to Al-Hilal and N’Golo Kante transfer to Al-Ittihad on a free transfer, but it is believed that more transfers are in the works for yet more teammates including Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Blues’ prodigious dealings with emissaries from the top four clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund attracted some attention due to the sovereign wealth fund’s investment in Clearlake Capital, one of Chelsea’s co-controlling owners, but written assurances accepted by the Premier League have made it clear there are no links between the two entities.
Ziyech struggled for minutes during Chelsea’s final season, despite a historic showing for the Atlas Lions at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and was reportedly close to agreeing a fresh start in the Middle East.
Hakim Ziyech’s imminent transfer to Al-Nassr may be in doubt after player’s medical treatment
But according to footprintthe imminent transfer may be in doubt due to problems with Ziyech’s medical treatment.
The Dutch-born player is believed to have undergone a medical for the club which identified knee problems, which has raised some concerns over the move of Cristiano Ronaldo’s team.
The same issue was previously identified by Paris Saint-Germain during their move of the player in a loan capacity during the January spell, but after undergoing additional testing, the Ligue 1 side were keen to continue.
The move ultimately fell through due to an administrative issue just before the deadline on the Chelsea side, which no doubt added to Ziyech’s frustrations as the season drew to a close.
Should Ziyech make the move to the Kingdom, he would cut out a three-year spell in the capital after sealing a £37 million transfer from Ajax.
Despite some flashes of promise in his 107 appearances, Ziyech was unable to replicate the red-hot form the Premier League team first put on, and was subject to long spells out of favour.
In all competitions, Ziyech has scored 14 goals and provided another 13 assists.
The 30-year-old’s impressive World Cup performance earned him a loan move to PSG – which ultimately fell through on deadline day